Need Advise.

A

amherst1

New member
This is my first actual posting and I am not sure if I am even on the correct page. I do need advice however and know many of you are more sweepstake savvy than me!
You might want to call me a "doubting woman" but I really get nervous about answering questions concerning personal info. I was caught in a credit card scam awhile back so it does make me leery. Anyways, that is neither here nor there. What is however, I received a message on my answering machine today concerning an entry I was suppose to have made in a Cadillac Escalade/Toshiba Sweepstake. It stated, I could be the winner of the Escalade or at the least a flat screen Television by Toshiba. They left a number for me to call and a name but not the actual name of the company. When I called the number, all I would get is "The persons mailbox is full" Goodbye! I also checked my caller ID--it was a different number and it stated, "you have reached the validation department--all managers are either away from their desk or on the phone, please leave a message and we will get right back to you".
Guess what," all mailboxes are full--Goodbye!" The first message on my answering machine also stated that the contact person would verify my information to make sure it is a valid entry and give me any tax info if I should have won the Escalade.
Now, after that whole long story, (SORRY for being so long winded) I have just a couple of questions:

1. Although I know you cannot be sure, do you think it is legitimate call? and
2. Wouldn't they know already what prize I had won not "if or at least"?

Any advise the SA members can give would be greatly appreciated.

"Doubting Thomas"
Amherst1

P.S. I do remember there was such a contest but that is not my kind of luck!
 
well 1st thing is that it is strange that they mention an either or, if you win they will send you an affidavit tol fill out by mail or online( to be downloaded and filled out) and have notarized.There are a lot of sweeps that call by phone but most congratulate you and get info as to if you have an affiliation with them and so on to make sure you are eligable. Never give out drivers, social security number over the phone unless you are positive as to who you are talking to. Have them send you the affy if it is legit?
 
Could be this one from the Expired file: Cadillac.com - 2007 Cadillac Sweepstakes
Grand Prize (1) a black new Cadillac Escalade, ARV $55,000 OR $50,000 cash prize. Second Prize (1) a ten Night Hawaiian Vacation, ARV $3,760, OR a $3,000 cash prize. Third Prize (1) $2,500 Cash. Fourth Prize (1) three Day/two Night multi destination vacation with roundtrip tickets for two, ARV $1,200. Fifth Prize (1) a 32” Toshiba flat-screen stereo TV. *03-23 site comes up with message: There is a problem with this website's security certificate. Problem is at sponsor's end, hopefully they'll fix it soon. **See Comments for various concerns about this sweep. ~Although the Comments are no longer there, people were always suspicious of the poor quality of the website and wondered if it were really sponsored by Cadillac.

If it were me, I'd return the call - but I would not release any vital information, like an SSN or bank routing number. If at any point you are asked to pay a fee of any kind, go on high alert.

That being said, the prizes do match an existing contest, so you might be a winner. Find out, but do it with caution. Good luck!
 
Be Careful! I've had 3 calls saying that I won a car, a tv or a cruise...The question they asked for validating the win was do you (and husband) have at least a combined income of.... That's the first tip off something is up....I wouldn't tell them. The 2nd thing was you have to come down to.....(a local place) to see what you won (they assure you that you won something). Sometimes they are trying to sell timeshare places or whatever.
After the first call, I told the caller what they were going to ask me and please put me on their do not call list. So.....proceed with caution.
 
I know this is a scam or a borderline sweep at best please watch this post as I just know I have seen this somewhere and it was not good.

That site is a good start. Using that phone number you will find complaints across the internet. 877-256-7894. They are a telemarketing company selling time shares. You are a winner no matter what. They offer sweepstakes under other names to get people to give them information which goes to their telemarketing company.

http://asymptomatic.net/2003/10/21/2279/more-global-advantage

This is another company that has reports on them.
http://ripoffreport.com/reports/0/168/RipOff0168395.htm


Remember that if you win then you will be given the name of the company, the prize and other information. The only time you pay for any part of a prize is things like airport tax on a trip win or shipping on a prize that states shipping not included. I am glad you came here and asked questions. It is these bad people that make us sweepers wonder if that big win is real.
 
No Reply

http://www.sweepsadvantage.com/smf/index.php?topic=27296.0

amherst1 said:
For those of you that are curious as to the results of the "Need Advice" posting, the answer is absolutely nothing!!!I have tried numerous times to contact these people, whoever THEY are, but have not received the courtesy of a reply. At least I have been able to leave messages and don't get the message that their mailboxes are full. I have called both numbers--the one they gave me to call and the one on my caller ID. I will keep trying but I am beginning to believe it might be a SCAM. I wish there was a way to find out more about said contest--the original entry form etc. I would also be curious to know if it was sponsored by Cadillac and Toshiba!!! I do have my doubts there too!

Also, thank you for your advice. After having my Credit Card Info stolen before, I do try to be very cautious with my info.

Good Luck to All and Congrats to all the winners!

Amherst1
Click to expand...
 
Need Advice, No Reply, Final!
http://www.sweepsadvantage.com/smf/index.php?topic=27316.0

amherst1 said:
Hi Everyone,
And the Final Answer is SCAM!!! I used the URL given to me for finding out about telephone numbers--there were so many people reporting on one of the numbers that it filled more than a page! I also put my two cents worth in!
Anyways, it is a little bit of a disappointment but like most of you, I thought it was VERY FISHY from the beginning. Let's face it, we do take some chances when we enter contests that we might receive this kind of call. I am really not sure if this is even the Cadillac/Toshiba contest that ended in April.

THANKS so much for your replies and Good Luck to All!

Amherst1
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top