I was sent a "Final Notice" claim form from GLOBAL CLEARANCE INCinforming me that I had won their Mega Million Sweepstakes third prizeof $125,000. I had never been contacted before about winning any suchsweepstakes.
A check for $4450 was enclosed, issued by TIAA-CREF - an annuitiescompany, which the letter claimed was a sponsor of the event. Theissuing bank was JP Morgan Chase.
TIAA-CREF and JP Morgan Chase Bank N. A
P.O. Box 1281 6040 Tarbell Road
Charlotte, N C 28201 Syracuse, N Y 13206
The routing number 021309379 has been flagged by the FDIC before. The"issuing bank" was different, but the notice was similar, telling therecipient that they had won a Mega Million Sweepstakes.
The account number listed was 601879281.
The check itself was green in color, with the words "This Document hasa Graduated Background. Dark to Light. The Reverse Side Includes anArtificial Watermark."
The back side was gray with the words "Original Document" in white anda box with the lock symbol and the words "Check Lock Security System: Chemically Reactive Paper with Erasure Protection. Warning Band andMicro Print border line on front. Artificial Watermarks and OriginalDocument Security System on back." There is no artificial watermarkvisible.
The letter asked me to "contact my claims agent Charles Brown orJessica Mizelle on 1-604-729-5049 to start the claims process." Butalso listed a Tax Agent:
Edgar Gomez, to whom I was required to send $3400 USD by Western Unionor Money Gram as payment of my applicable taxes on the winnings.
The tax agency was listed as Tax Handlers UK, the agent again, Edgar Gomez and the address 13 Voss Road London U.K.
Needless to say, as a US citizen I had no intention of sending a taxpayment to anyone but the IRS - it was this instruction that made melook into the issuing company.
The letter promised the balance of my "winnings" $120,550 sent by courier as a certified cashiers check.
THIS IS A SCAM. If it seems too good to be true it probably is, and ifit comes from GLOBAL CLEARANCE INC, it definitely is. Do your homework.
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