Money Transfer Scam

Early one morning I received a phone call from a friend of mine who was visibly expecting twins. Something was different about this call she sounded unsure whether she should be happy. After probing the information out of her I learned that she received a letter in the mail explaining that she won $22,000 dollars and to prove the sinceritly of the win a check for $2,900 was enclosed. She told me that the check looked legitimate. I asked her to read me the letter as I thought to myself "Nothing like this ever happens to me" The letter stated that she entered a sweepstakes via the internet a while ago and she was the grand prize winner of $22,000. It began to explain her legal rights and gave her instructions. The letter explained to her that she would have to pay $2,900 dollars in processing fees however there was a new law that stated that she could use her winnings to pay the fees. They gave her instructions to cash the check they gave her and send $2,700 first and then send the other $200.00 after. She could send the money back through western union, or via money order. Or she could transfer the money back to them from her account. She went on to say that they gave her a number to call if she had any questions. A few of her family members were telling her that she should cash it and not send it back incase it was a scam. I told her that she shouldn't do anything until I got off of work and we could both use the internet to investigate the company or to see if it was a scam. I let her know that I thought it was a "bank on your greed scam"

When I got home I called her so we could begin the process of investigating the company this time her voice had a unmistakably happy ring to it. She cheerily stated that she deposited the check into her account and that it was legitimate. She also said she wasn't going to send the money back in case it was a scam and that she told her bank that she wasn't so sure about the check. That way she would have the last laugh. I knew right away that something wasn't right. I left it alone because she mentioned she wasn't going to send the money back although I was uneasy about something legal possibly happening if it were a scam. A few days later I received another call from her but this time she was crying. She told me that she should have listened to me. After she settled down she let me know that she changed her mind about sending the money. She western unioned the $2,900 dollars over so that she could get her $22,000 dollars within a few weeks. Looking back on this I understood her situation she was a mother of one and pregnant with twins. After sending the money she decided to call the BBB. The BBB told her that the company was a fraudulent company in canada and really nothing could be done because they were not in the states and would have to be handled by the canadian authorities. They told her to inform her bank. When she called her bank they took all of the money from out of her account to replace the $2,900 and they also closed her account. She now owes the bank and she is an expecting mother of twins.

This kind of scam is a "Bank on your greed" scam. The scammers are banking on you wanting the rest of your prize winnings. They are receiving access to someone's account and sending checks to unsuspecting individuals to cash and send back the money to them. People are more willing to send back money if the check is legitimate, the scammers knew that and they were also "banking on your greed" If you know that the check they sent is real you are more likely to send the money back with the confidence of your $22,000 coming soon after. There are a few red flags to look out for with this kind of scam. If you don't recall filling out for any sweepstakes or you are unsure call the number that is listed on the letter sent with the check. Ask them the exact date your entry was submitted also ask them are they associated with the BBB. That is if they ever answer the phone. Call the BBB (Better Business Bureau before depositing the check into your account. If they are listed then it is probably safe if not avoid cashing the check at all cost. This scam can cost you money as well as turn your life upside down. In my friends case she lost the money they sent and her own money as well she also lost her checking account with her bank and now she has a debt that she could have avoided. The internet is a powerful tool that should be used, research the name of the company and ask questions in forums designed for victims of scams. If this offer ever appears in your mail box I know it may be tempting to cash the check but think of all you will lose.