ok so my boyfriend got one of these letters that had a check enclosed also, and he did enter a contest. but we looked up the address and the return address was from Chicago IL. so we looked up the address on google and its legit but we're not sure what we should do. the check he recieved was for $3,985.00 for International Fees or something like that and we just don't know if we need to deposit it or if we need to contact the Fraud agency.any suggestions.

My letter is from AutoRelocationPlus, 1382 Valencia Avenue, Suite C, Tustin, CA 92780. It is a real company and even has a signature that is one of the financial VP's on it. It seems to be the exact same format that everyone seems to be getting. The check looks so real. I was going to ask the bank if it was a fraudulent check today. Also, the phone number on the website doesn't match the number thats on the check. My check has a phone number of 541-573-8612. Of course when I called, they said to call them back after I've deposited the check. Also, this Catherine Anderson that I was supposed to ask for was away at lunch. The number to reach her at was 514-573-4678. The claim specialist was a Susan Shelton. I can't find ARP Financial Services & Consultants anywhere online. Mine says I won 57,000 and my check was for 3,989.85 for admin taxes and clearance fess of my winnings. i've love to catch these guys...any suggestions?!

I have recieved a check and letter that is very similar to the responses above but my companies were, The Clearing House in Canada, Sunamerica Bank in Florida and Radiotronics, Inc also in Florida I have researched all the companies and they are all legit. My check was in the amount of $4,800 and I was asked to pay the government tax of $3,800. I was also given a 647 area code number to call and a claim agent. I have yet to call but I wanted some advice first. The letter has the winning ticket number and everything but I don't remember ever sending in to a Radiotronics, Inc. Can you please help me???!!!

Did you ever sign up for Readers digest or had any dealings with Smurfit. If not, then this funny. Who is this agent that you contacted, the one who sent you the check or Readers Digest. If you are checking with those who sent you the check, they will definitely say its legal.

We have not done any due diligence on this yet but would recommend that you check with Readers Digest on the legality of this sweepstake. They do have prizes but we are unaware of cash prizes.

Be careful with this... I guess its ok to try to bank in the check since that is all you know, just don't let a single cent of yours leave your pocket because of this matter.

I, Mary Helen, received a check from Smurfit Financials, adivision of Smurfit Stone Container Enterprises, Inc. Creve Coeur, Mo 63141.
my name was drawn from Readers Digest, Publishers Clearing House,Online Sweepstakes, Internet games. It gives a phone # to
call, I did. the check is for $3,989.45. I called the agent Sean Peter
or Susane Robinson, at 1-647-878-0934, they said the check was
legal, the check covers both athe 3.6% administrative taxes and Clearance fees. It was drawn from Chase Manhattan Bank, USA, N.A.
Wilmington, DE., I can I find out if it really legal.

I too have recieved this letter from Best Way Financial in South Hackensack informing me that I was the winner of $66,000 and was also given a check for $3,188.38 for "international clearance fees." Not so surprisingly, after the check bounced and my bank account became fraudulent, my so-called "agent" is suddenly unavailable. I am absolutely mortified that I actually fell for it. I should have known, but being a college student with a recently widowed parent (my sister and I quite literally live off college loans), I desperately wanted to believe that it was true. Far worse than the fact that I was humiliated and my financial difficulties cruelly mocked, I have yet another reason to lose a little faith in humanity. If anyone has more information regarding this business, please post a comment or email me. . . I intend to make sure this company get ITS just rewards, and I will **never** give up until I do.

We too have been sent a winning notice for a prize of $50000.00 ; along with an authentic looking check in the amount of $3765.00. This check is meant to be deposited into your account to pay towards taxes incurred upon your winnings; via Western Union or Moneygram. This all sent from "Precision Lotto Gaming Corp.
Sponsors: Readers Digest / Publishers Clearing House and Online Games. I was also instructed to contact Mr. Michael Cooper, my claim agent to finalize my claim. But I knew as soon as I seen that the money was to be wired to St. Virgin Islands and that, being the origin of the so called Corp. told me this was a scam. You do not have to pay taxes on your winnings in any such manner. Taxes are automatically deducted from legitimte winnings. Thank God my wife did'nt get to this before I did. She may have felt it was genuine. These scum should be skinned alive.

"International Clearance Fee"? Is this letter from overseas? We assess based on your description that it appears to be a scam. If you didn't participate in anything from Readers Digest, or did no subscribe at all, it is definitely a scam. We are not aware that Readers Digest offers lottery, but if you are a subscriber you can call them directly on their official phone number to check. If the scammer is local, you might consider copying the letter and Check to the police first, before sending to the Consumer Fraud Unit. They might be able to trace them if the scammers are in the same state.

I just received a letter from Best Way Financial Services in South Hackensack, NJ. They claim that I have won $66,0000. "All partilcipants were selected through a computerized ballot system drawn from Readers Digest, Publishers Clearing House, Online Sweepstakes, Internet gamves, etc." Enclosed was a check for $3,188.38 "to assist you in financing your international clearnace fee." They gave me a name and number to call and a claim number.

There is no such company listed in South Hackensack, NJ. Also, the envelope shows ho return address and has a stamp from Canada.

The check is very real-looking, but I am postive this is a scam. I am planning to send it to the Consumer Fraud unit in my state.
Any other advice?