So you think you won the lottery but can't remember
buying the ticket?
Identity Safeguards © July 2004
Guess what - you didn't win! It's that simple.
Overseas lottery scams have been around for years
but are on the rise again. They operate on our
wish to win the lottery and the appearance of
legitimacy by sending the winner a check through
FedEx - the scenario is something like this:
You receive a letter that you won $50,000 in
the Australian lottery. If you call, you're told
you will receive a check to cover the taxes and/or
fees, as well as additional instructions on how
to collect your prize.
You then receive a Federal Express package with
a letter and a very real appearing check. The
winner is instructed to deposit the check into
their account and to use the money to pay the
taxes and fees in order to receive their overseas
funds. Once the taxes and fees have been paid
per the instructions - the winnings will follow
in the mail.
Naturally, their check is a fraud -- while you
have written a real check. You may have also provided
your Social Security number and other sensitive
information leaving you open to further fraud.
Safety Tip - You cannot win a lottery you did
not enter!
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