BBB Name Used In Sweepstakes Scam Targeting Consumers in the Southeastern US
http://www.theopenpress.com/index.php?a=press&id=13511Raleigh, N.C. (October 23, 2006) Chances are if you're a resident in the United States, you've received notification within the last 12 months that you've won a either a domestic or foreign lottery or sweepstakes. Lottery/sweepstakes scams have increased at an alarming rate over the past year and the latest version uses the BBB name to lull victims into a false sense of security.
A letter bearing the name of
JG Wentworth & Associates has been mailed to consumers in several southeastern states, including North Carolina. The Better Business Bureaus serving North Carolina are alerting consumers that the letter poses a danger to those who may respond to it.
“The notice claims that the consumer is a winner of a U.S.A. MEGA MILLIONS JACKPOT and that he/she has been approved for a lump-sum payment of $1.2 million. The letter includes a check for $3,000 (to cover legal documents, insurance and processing fees), which the recipient is instructed to deposit in the bank and then wire the same amount to a Canadian address,” said Beverly Baskin, President of the BBB of Eastern NC.
“The problem becomes apparent when the consumer deposits the check and learns several days later that funds are ‘not available.’ Not only has the consumer lost the $3,000 that was wired out of the country, but by providing personal identification and/or bank account numbers, he may become a victim of identity theft as well,” said Baskin.
The notification letter also makes the claim that the company is a “proud member of the International Better Business Bureau.” This company is not a member of any Better Business Bureau in the United States or Canada and there is no such organization named the “International Better Business Bureau”. There is a company in Bryn Mawr, PA with a similar name, J.G. Wentworth, which is a BBB member.
The Better Business Bureau advises that it is illegal to participate in a foreign lottery through U.S. Mail. Also, if you have won an actual, legal lottery, you do not have to pay any fees before receiving your winnings. Whenever you are in doubt, check with your Better Business Bureau.
