I received a letter from Exelon Prize Mgt Corporation with a check in the amount of $2,356.48. The letter stated I won a $45,000 lottery that I did not enter. The check looked real, but I assumed it was a scam. I called Mike Bishop as the letter stated at 1-780-394-0743. When the man answered, he was not professional and had a foreign accent that was hard to understand. The letter was signed by Judy Butler (Promotion Manager).
Mike told me the check was to cover the taxes that would need to be paid for the prize money. He stated that he would not ask for my personal information, but I needed to deposit the check in my account and call him back in 2 days. I asked him, why? He said so they can tell me the taxes for my state. He also said the check would hand delivered to my home.
I took the check to my bank, because I was sure it was a scam. My bank said it probably was. I did not deposit the check into my account.instead, my bank said the collection department would try to collect the funds and would deposit it in my account if it was real.
The teller said this scam usually relies on people cashing the check or depositing it into their account. When you call back in 2 days, the company will ask you to Western Union them around a $1,000. The people are hoping to get you to mail them money before the check bounces. Since the check is out of state, my bank would hold it for 10 days. The teller also said the bank is probably not real.
It is a shame that people are so mean these days. I have been out of work for 2 1/2 years. If I was not an accounting major and knew the proper way things should be done with lottery winnings, it would be easy to fall for this scam. I hope these people get caught and get what they deserve. What comes around goes around.
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