On October 5 I received a letter from North Financial Incorporated, labeled "Winning Notification." It indicated that in the OSA Sweepstakes Alliances held on August 15th in the 2nd category ticket with serial number specified drew the lucky winning number, also specified. It indicated that many unsuccessful attempts had been made to contact me regarding this winning and that I was entitled the sum of $100,000 US dollars. The letter went on to indicate that the ten winners had been selected through a random computer ballot system drawn from over 100,000 names. Enclosed in the envelope with the letter was a check in the amount of $4,900.00 US dollars drawn on the account of Radiaion Physics, 10133 Bacon Drive, Beltsville, MD 20706. The letter indicated that the check was expressly given to expedite the processing and that $2,985 of the total sum would have to be paid for the "Government Tax, " which had to be paid by Moneygram or Western Union directly to the tax agent.
The letter further indicated that I would receive a "final check" in the amount of $95,100.00 when the winning is processed. That sum was to be sent to me and delivered by UPS. The date on the check was 9/25/07, the check number was 53955. The final paragraph of the letter states: "Please do not attempt to use this check until you call. You are advised to contact your claim agent immediately for further clarification as indicated below within 5 business days." Below that the name: "Mrs Lisa Johnson 1-416-832-4751 (Claim Agent)" appears followed by "Congratulations" and "Yours Truly" then the barely legible printed signature of above the name: "Mrs. Rose Hill (Promotion Manager)" Calling the number repeatedly over a number of days (from Friday afternoon, 10-5-07 until Wednesday morning 10-10-07) consistently yields an automated voice message indicating that the "customer" that I'm trying to reach is not available followed by the request to try again later. This message is followed by a similar message in French, inviting one to try again a little later "... Un peu plus tard."
This is an unusual case. I feel that it is a rip-off, but unless someone answers the phone and provides a name and address of a person to whom the purported tax payment is to be sent, it obviously cannot be sent, so no money is fraudulently obtained. The check appears good on it's face. But that raises the question: If the check is, in fact, good, why doesn't someone answer the phone? Unless money is made by the parties perpetrating the fraud, the scheme generates no financial reward.
I came on line to see what I could find out about the company, North Financial Incorporated, and this site came up. Since I can't get in touch with the claim agent for "further clarification" and/or instructions, I took the check to the bank to see if I could further confirm or negate it's legitimacy and negotiability. The banker assured me that it was no good and that, if deposited, and returned, I would be charged the NSF fee. But no case can be made against the apparent ripoff artists until and unless they are caught in a fraudulent scheme to elicit, or by other means, obtain a benefit or financial reward.
The bank (PNC BAnk, N.A.in Camp Hill, Pa.) was located on the Internet (717-761-2079). Their policy is not to give out account information on a "business" or "merchant" account, although that obviously does not obtain to businesses or merchants seeking validation on a consumer account They gave me a toll number to call for that information (1-900-988-4762), which, admittedly, will result in my being charged $5.00 for the information.
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