On 7/4, I picked up our mail.included was a letter with no Return Label on it. When I opened it, there was a letter from City Financial TRust, Inc, from Sarastota FLorida, stating that I was one opf 40 entries that had won $125,000. I was assigned a claim number, by the Internation Claim Department of the Company.
Here is they key to fooling me: The letter included a check for $4,875 to pay for applicable government taxes. The amount owed to the tax authorities was $2,975; to be paid either by money gram or Western Union directly to the tax agent.
I immediately called a number listed in Canada (647) 839-7320, Ms. Carol Armstrong (Claims Agent). I told Ms. Armstrong how thankful we were because we were expiriencing financial difficulties and this was a miracle. SHe told me to go the the bank next day (july 5) and deposit the check. Once I did this to call her back. I told he that I could pay the IRS directly as they have a field office nearby my work. SHe was adamant that I do no such thing. JUst call her.
Well, in the meantime, I did some online searching and ran accross the report from the guy in Huntsville, AL. The red lights and whistles starting to go off. I then contacted the local FBI office in Sacramento. The agent with whom I spoke told me this is a scam.
THe was it works is like this. You cash the check. Then call back to them and they will immediately pressure you into submitting a $2,975 dollar payment to the tax agent (one of them) who will promplty cash it. Their check to you will bounce and you have just lost almost $3,000—which you have to pay to the bank.
I asked him if they was anything they could do. He told me that they move around too quickly.
What I forgot to tell the company is that I am a lawyer. I recommend that anyone who has experienced this scam do the following:
1. Do not send them money. If you cash their check, it will bounce anyway so don't plan to use the money— you will pay for it regardless.
2. File an online complaint with the Florida Attorney General's Office regarding Atlas Financial Trust Company, dba, City Financial Trust Company in Saratoga, FL.
3. File an online complaint with the Attorney General of your State
4. File an onlice complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, www.ftc. Gov
5. Fila a complaint with the Better Business Bureau against Atlas Financial Trust Inc, in Clearwater Florida. Http://westflorida. BBB.org/WWWRoot/Report. Aspx? Site=47&bbb=0653&firm=90050712
What's funny is that a FLorida company lists a Canadian telephone number.
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