North American Lottery Corporation — Taxes problem!
They tell me I have won $33,00.00 dollars, and I need to pay the taxes. They tell me they use the "Name Data Base Ballot System" which is provided by Credit Cards, and telephone services. It describes the sponsoring company, "EH GRiffith Inc," whom I e-mailed and they stated they were not sponsors and that the said company was fraudulently using their checks/letter heads. The letter that was included also stated I had to call "Mr. Kevin Luna" at "[protected]," "he will validate the check, after that proceed to your bank and make a deposit." It is signed, "David West, Promotion Manager."
a verified customer
I received the letter which stated I had won $120,00.00 dollars. A check was even sent to me for $4950.00, which could be used to send the $2,900.00 tax charges. They tell me they use the "Name Data Base Ballot System" which is provided by Credit Cards, and telephone services. The letter that was included also stated I had to call "Mr. Tony Edward" at "(514) 571-2809," "he will validate the check, after that proceed to your bank and make a deposit." It is signed, "Mrs. Shanice Wilhurt, Promotion Manager."
I have a friend who works at a bank - she researched this and stated that this check would not go through because the account number on the bottom of the check does not match up with the Company who supposedly wrote the check. When my friend called this person to notify them this check was returned, he stated that he was going to a meeting and would call back to discuss this. She stated she would call him back in 1 hour, after his meeting. She called back 10 minutes later and the phone was disconnected.
Lucky for me, my friend saved me a ton of money, because I actually did sign up for a raffle drawing at Grainger (the check was in this name).
a verified customer
I received a check in the mail on 4/2/2007 stating I was a winner in a computer generated lottery. In order for me to get the full sum of money I had to deposit the check and wait for it to cover the service charges. I tried contacting the agent listed on the cover letter to validate everything, but i could never speck to anyone. I finally called the bank that also listed on the check to se if they could tell me if the Company that as sponsoring this lottery was legit...finally I spoke to a representative at the back and she ran the routing number at the bottom of the check and check number at the top, and stated it was real. I'm glad i didn't try and cash that check.
The fraudulent company that was on the check was ( The Star Foundation). There is a such thing as that company, but its a foundations for other reasons then a lottery. MORE LIKE TAKEN DONATIONS THEN GIVEN THEM!
a verified customer
I to received a check on April 12th w/a letter from the Oprah Winfrey Summer Sweepstakes, that said the EXACT same thing. My family & I investigated everything on this letter & check & it all checked out. I went and actually Western Unioned the money, when I returned home, my husband wanted me to "google" the North American Lottery Corp, that is when I found this was a scam. I called Western Union & cancelled the whole thing...
a verified customer
my dad who is 82 received a check in the mail with a letter stating he had won 700,000.00 and a check of 4,193.00 the check looked real and he had till Oct,31 to claim prizes he needed to call 1778-863-8222 and talk with Gary James or Edna King to initiate the claim process and activate the check when. My mom wasn't sure if it was real and ask me to call we i did the man was very rude ask why i didn't call on Thursday when I said couldn't believe that it was real he said dont ever call this number again and that couldn't claim the prize even though the letter said all prize money must be claimed by oct 31 and today is the 27th the letter head is EQUITY FINANCIAL INC 400-2525 GRUMMAN AVE TORONTO ON T7Y 5J8 PHONE NUMBER 1-788-863-8222 CANADA This is a scam they will ask you to go to walmart and get a money gram of 2,851.00. scam, scam, scam.
a verified customer
I received a letter from North American Lottery Corporation with a check for $2,900.00 enclosed. FINAL NOTICE in big red letters. I have been bouncing back their emails and ignoring their contacts. The letter instructed me to call Peter Brown at 1-877-827-3875 before depositing the check. I am told to send $2300.00 by moneygram for taxes and legal fees by March 24, 2008. The the rest of my winnings will by sent to me $950,000.00 after they receive their money. Well in the first place U S taxes would be more than $2300 on that amount of money,plus legal fees... The letter was signed by Edward Williams,CEO North American Lottery Company???
a verified customer
I got a letter from North American Lottery on March 15, 2008 stating that I had winner of $950, 000.00 and a check for $2, 869.00 sent to me to cover legal and administration fees of $2300.00.That I was to call Peter Brown account manager prior to depositing(I cashed it..money in hand not in bank..smile..) the check, at 1-877-827-3875.The funds was insured in full value in my name and would be transferred to me when all requirements was met.By going to Wal-Mart and sending a Money-Gram, making payment to PETER BROWN NYC, NY 10040.Other named persons was EDWARD WILLIAMS CEO North American Lottery, Robert Davis mail room of said NYC address..and some one to contact Andria at Ph#877-249-6446.I cashed the check and it did go thur.(All over whent to pocket)Mr.Brown called to say that I needed to pay a nother $1445.00 for delivery fees...that is what got me to check this out...Is it for real??? or Not????.
a verified customer
I recieved a check for 4850.00 saying that I won a lottery in the amount of 50, 000.00...The check was to cover the taxes that needed to be paid. After reading all the other comments...I know this is fake since it asked me to do the same at the above mentioned comments. I had to callDavid Jones at 647-836-6845. The letter was from Equity Financial in Ontario, Canada. The check was from NEP Supershooters L.P. Live Media LLC.
a verified customer
I received a letter from Equity Financial saying I won a lottery from a North American Lottery Incorporation. I think this is a scam. It also told me to call David Jones and when I call it says his mailbox is full. Then the number called me back and on the caller Id it says it was a cell phone and nobody was on the other end. I don't think I will be cashing this check!!!
a verified customer
I received one of these letters the other day. I googled the address and It is the same scam as I have read about on this sight. They want me to call Gary James or Edna King. THis should be reported to someone who can put a stop to it. This is nothing more than theivery and taking advantage of honest people by making them think they have won something when they haven't. There was also no postmark on the mailing envelope the letter came in...Maybe 20/20 would like to hear about this!!
a verified customer
My son just got home from work, had envelope from North American Lottery letter for him w/ck enclosed for $3995.00 advising he won $55, 500.00 w/instructions to not cash ck until he calls Mr Bob Clems at 647-219-4469 & signed by Michael Hialop, Promotion Manager...he was thrilled, made his year.He was already planning on how to spend it ...I didn't want to burst his bubble, so I watched as he called Mr Clem...my son does not have a bank acct & he told Mr Clem this...Mr Clem told my son not to worry, but don't cash check til he, my son, was to call Mr Clem back after he got "everything ready" so my can receive his winnings...I told my son that when he calls back the phone will be disconnected.My son wanted to hold on to the belief that he was going to get a lot on money...that is when i came on line to see if I could find any info on North American Lottery...I thank you so much for being here.Needless to say my son not happy.
a verified customer
My wife just recieved the letter yesterday. It said it was the North American Lottery game and the letter was from Arista Financial Group. Natuarally I was excited but with the way the world is now you can't trust anyone so I found this website and i'm glad because the companies and addresses checked out. The check even said it was from Wachovia. DON'T TRUST ANYONE!!!
a verified customer
My Granddaughter who lives in GA called my wife, we live in MO, and stated I had WON $4850. My wife told her it was a scam and to send the check to us. Turns out my wife was right. When I received the check and letter my wife checked the web and found this site. My check is drawn on PNC Bank, Pittsburgh on an account held by NEP SUPERSHOOTERS L.P. PITTSBURGH, PA. My letter stated is was from the North American Lottery.
a verified customer
I just received the same letter as Jennifer. Word for Word except, MR. JOSEPH ABUGO, is the person I was suppose to contact. They said when I called that I was entered in a drawing automatically from shopping at Walmart. I did not attempt to deposit or cash it. I knew it was a scam from the begining. So I got on the phone to see what info. I could get from this guy. Just so I could report this scam. Then GOOGLED, and found this. Never ending scam artist in this world. I think they prey more on the young and nieve as well as the elderly. But, to all, BEWARE...THIS IS A SCAM. No matter who the contact person is, bank, or anything else you may receive in a lottery winnings letter. Florida.
a verified customer
IT IS A SCAM I CAN PROMISE YOU THAT I GOT A LETTER IN THE MAIL AND IT SAID IT WAS FROM THE CLEARING HOUSE. AND THAT I WON 100, 000.00 AND THEY SENT ME A CHECK FOR 4, 900.00 WHICH WAS PART OF THE MONEY TO PAY FOR MY GOVERNMENT TAXES AND I WAS TO PAY IT BY MONEY GRAM OR WESTERN UNION THEN I WOULD RECEIVE MY FINAL CHECK FOR THE SUM OF 95, 100.00 WILL BE SENT TO ME BY FED EX AND IT SAY DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE THE CHECK TILL I CALL THE CLAIM AGENT AND I WAS TO CALL MR JOSEPH ABUGO 1-289-892-0002 (CLAME AGENT) SIGNED DONNA BROWN (PROMOTION MANAGER) I CALLED HIM HE IS ARAB AT THAT!!! AND THE BANK PNC BANK IN PITTSBURGH, PA ON FIFTH AVE ZIP CODE 15222 HAS NO CLUE ON TO WHAT IS GOING ON NOW THEY ARE INVESTGATING IT ALL. BUT WHEN YOU CALL MR DAVID JONES AND TALK TO HIM IT IS QUITE FUNNY CAUSE HE WILL TELL YOU THAT YOU HAVE SO MANY DAYS TO DO THIS AND IT IS NOT A SCAM THATS WHY THEY GO THROUGH WESTERN UNION AND FED EX OK HELLO PEOPLE I FOUND OUT THE HARD WAY I REALLY PUT THE CHECK IN MY ACCOUNT IF YOU DO DO NOT I MEAN DO NOT SPEND IT IT MIGHT NOT EVEN GO THROUGH BUT IF FOR SOME REASON IT DOES YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MONEY IF YOU SPEND IT. JUST A LIL HEADS UP.now i have to number to this pnc banc if you would like to call and also report your scam to them also to hellp the investagation, , , FIFTH AVENUE
249 FIFTH AVENUE
PITTSBURGH, PA 15222
412-762-2021 Handicapped Access
ATM Available
Branch Hours:
Sunday: Closed
Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
0.02 miles
1-888-PNC-BANK (1-888-762-2265, 6 a.m. to midnight eastern time, seven days a week) for assistance.
I HOPE NO MORE INNCENT PPL GET FOOLED BY THIS SCAM I KNOW WITH ME BEING A SINGAL MOTHER OF THREE LIVING ON DISABILITY DUE TO CANCER, , THIS MONEY REALLY SOUNDED GOOD AND WOULD OF HELPED ME AND MY KIDS OUT ALOT BUT PLEASE BY THE GRACE OF GOD PLEASE DO NOT BE FOOLED BY ANY OF THSES SCAMS PLEASE RESURCH EVERYTHING FIRST!!
a verified customer
My teenage daughter received a letter from "North American Lottery" . This is a scam, do not answer or call the number. Do not cash the check...do not sent any money via Western Union. Taxes are definately not paid like that. The letters are mailed from Canada, harder to trace. Please protect your children.
a verified customer
i got the same letter check for 4900 send them 4100 i put the money in my bamk dont know whats going to happen
thank you
big bull
p.s
im only 18 just messed up my creidt
thank you NAL Inc
a verified customer
I received the same letter as the rest of you i surly was'nt fooled !!! I researched it fully ; called the so called company etc. We need to catch these people !!!
a verified customer
Well I just recieved the CLEARING HOUSE letter, stating I had won $100, 000.00 from North American Lottery Inc. Enclosed was also the check for $4900.00 to pay the $4100.00 taxes on my winnings. I called David Jones as instructed...(Just like the letters above) he said deposit the check, wait for it to clear, then give him a call back to recieve instructions on how to pay the $4100 in taxes. Very polite, not pushy, gave no time limits. I called an accountant friend of mine, he researched same as I and found many similar comments...
FRAUD ! ! ! ! ! Why are these things allowed? I recieve several of these either in e-mail or the mail.
Good Luck out there.
Aaron
a verified customer
I received the same letter and decided to investigate it. Thank God for the internet and guys like you who are willing to open the eyes of many. With the economy like it is, it was exciting and very impressive.
I'm going to report it to the companies and the bank.
Pam
a verified customer
Hey! I was shocked to open a letter with the $4, 800 check from The Clearing House saying that I had won $100, 000, and after paying the $4100 in taxes (by Money Gram or Western Union), I would soon receive my $95, 200 by FED EX or UPS. I obviously knew that it was either some type of scam, or hidden loan, and so I researched it further. Honestly, this sounded great to me and my husband, both of which are in either Nursing School or Pharmacy School! WOW, what a waste of time! I am so glad that I didn't cash the check or call the agent. Thank you everyone for enlightening me! :)
a verified customer
These are very bad people. I received the letter as well, stating I had won $55, 500. Too good to be true - was my first instinct. If you actually win something, you're going to receive something more than an inject printed white piece of paper asking you to pay taxes and I know we had never been called about it - as was stated in the letter. I was supposed to send $2900 in taxes also... which should always be very suspicious. I called the FBI and the Postmaster General to report them. The check looks real, and that's the problem. I called the Casino, they knew nothing about it only that there is a scam going on with their casino's name reversed. I looked up the address on the letter, also bogus and there was no zip code. Then I Googled the "promotion manager's" name, Michael Hialop, and got this site... Thank goodness for the internet and Google!!! Hope this helps all the other victims of this scam before they call the number on the letter and try to cash the fake check!!! BEWARE!
a verified customer
I just received the same letter with a check for 3900.00 Asking me to call and send money to them for taxes. I know taxes are not paid this way so i researched North American Lottery and found all this. I am going to pursue this in hope these scam artist are caught.
a verified customer
My daughter has received a letter and a check ($4822.64)from OAI Electronics. The business and address on the check are legitimate and I have e-mailed them to let them know what she has received. I started researching the address on the letter and the address to mail the "non resident transit fee". Both brought me to this web site. The address is 400-2525 Grumman Ave. Toronto ON Canada T7Y 5J8. Looks like this matches one of the scams listed above. The name and address to send the money is Anne Denise, 163 Airport Road, Toronto, ON, Canada AIB 3X5. Also, supposed to call Edna King or Gary James to activate the check. I'm going to investigate and try to learn more. Thanks for all the comments and this web site. These people need to be stopped.
a verified customer
I received the letter which stated I had won $13o, 00.00 dollars. A check was even sent to me for $3950.00, which could be used to send the $2, 900.00 tax charges. They tell me they use the "Name Data Base Ballot System" which is provided by Credit Cards, and telephone services. The letter that was included also stated I had to call "Mr. Lawrence Awak" at "(514) 571-2809, " "he will validate the check, after that proceed to your bank and make a deposit." It is signed, "Mrs. Shanice Wilhurt, Promotion Manager.
a verified customer
I got the same message saying I won 100, 000 dollars and recieved a check for 4900, and so forth my connect agent was Joesph Abugo 1 289 892 0002 is the phone number. The address they gave was 450 Bay St. Toronto Ontario Canda M6.3c1. The Clearing House. I checked with the better business bereau and the company is closed. The Bank that was used was National City Bank in Ashland Ohio.
a verified customer
I received a letter dated 9/24/08 from The Clearing House, 450 Bay St, Toronto Ontario, Canada; stating that I won $100, 000 us dollars. Attached was a check for $4900.00. The check was from Liberty Iron & Metal LLC. I googled this company and they are out of Erie, PA, same info as on the check. I thought it was strange that the check was from a scrap metal company.
The letter states I am required to pay $4100.00 for goverment tax and pay by moneygram or Western Union. When the winning is processed I would receive a final check in a lump sum amount of $95, 100.00 sent to me by FedEx or UPS.
I was advised to call Mr Joseph Abugo @ 1-289-892-0002 claim agent with congrats from Mrs Donna Brown/Promotion Manager.
I was so excited that my dream had come true on winning money. How can these people get away with this. Fraud
a verified customer
Thank you to everyone that have posted comments . I just received my check for $4, 900.00 and made the same call. I was told to cash the check and then call him back. Didn't sound right to me! So I goggled the clearing house and found this is a scam. I guess we are winners (they didn't get our funds).
a verified customer
I just got the same letter from clearing house and liberty iron and metal i wish it were real but i hope they get caught some how i dont know how to help
a verified customer
I received the same check in the mail for 4900.00 dollars. Telling me to cash the check and send 4100.00 the western union or moneygram for taxes. I did my research and found out that this is a scam.
If there is anyone else who gets this PLEASE DON"T CASH THE CHECK. The BBB said that you will still be responsible for paying back the money to whomever cashed it for you.
They are really out to target elderly people. So, tell everybody you know about this scam.
And again PLEASE DON"T CASH IT.
I am so glad I just read all these complaints. I just received 2 letters one said I won $250, 000 with a $4, 850 check and the other said I won $55, 000 and a check for$3, 955. One was from North-American Lottery like all of you, but the other one was from Sweepstakes of North America, so watch out for that one too! I deposited the checks but sent nothing. My bank advised me to sign a paper stating that the money could not be touched for 10 business days to let them clear. I also made copies of both checks. Something told me to be coutious about this and I'm so glad I was. Thanks to all of you my suspicians were confirmed!
a verified customer
My wife received a letter from MXI Financial Inc and a check for $4995. The addres of the company is the same as the other listed above and the "Agents" are Gary James and Edna King once agian. Thanks to all for posting your experiences online to save me the trouble. Just wanted to add that the company name may change but the scam remains the same...
Steven
MA
a verified customer
My daughter recieved this same type of letter today, just was not sure it sounded too good to be ture! Just trying to find out andnow I know. I am going to report this to the postal service and see if they can do anything to help catch these theives.In this tight economy I am afraid there will be more people caught in this type of easy money trap. Always check first, if it is genuine then time will not be such an issue.
a verified customer
My husband just received his in the mail today. But, they even provided the lottery numbers that he supposedly played for North American Lottery. Says there was an announcement held on Oct 4, 2008 naming him approved to receive lump sum of $500, 000.00. The letterhead is from US Management, 200 Walker Street, Watsonville, CA 95098 (877.750.6855) contact: Dan Jones. I checked this company on BBB, no such company. Not even the phone number. The check is from First National Bank of Central California, 655 Main Street, Watsonville, CA 95077. The bank does exist, but incorrect zip code. I am going to try to register this w/ consumer alert and will contact bank.
Good luck! Hope no one becomes victim.
Leslie, GA
a verified customer
My husband received the very same letter, except his contact is DAN JORDAN. The letterhead is U. S. Management, 200 Walker Street, Watsonville, CA 95098. The bank is First National Bank Of Central California, 655 Main Street, Watsonville, CA 95077-1540. The letter stated that he had won $500, 000.00 and they sent him a check for $3867.00. I hope no one is a victim of this scam but alot of people do not have access to the internet and this is very tempting with times as hard as they are right now. Please take care.
a verified customer
I received a letter from U.S. Management 200 Walker Street Watsonville, CA 95098 on 10-16-08. I was very excited that I may have won something. I decided to check it out first and found it was a scam. What do people get out of causing so many people bad times. I hope they catch the party behind this. The check looked so real and I could use 500, 000. Please always check out strange letters before you act on them
a verified customer
A received the same letter telling me to contact Joseph Abugo with a slight variation. What first stood out to me was that the dollar amount did not match. The amount I had "won" was $100, 000. The check was for $4800, which was to pay for the $3800 in taxes. Then I would receive a check for $96, 200. Well according to my limited math skills, that adds up to $101, 000. Also, the company was Lion County Safari, Inc. The actual company is Lion Country, Inc. Third, the check was drawn under "National City" of Lousville, KY. Even though the spelling of the city was wrong, I called National City anyway. The check number was an actual check. The account number was correct as well. However, the routing number did not match with their bank's routing number. BE CAREFUL. THIS IS A SCAM!!!
a verified customer
A little tip to anyone that receives anything saying they won something. As a Western Union Agent I can tell you that we are informed of many scams. If anywhere there is something saying that you have to make a payment through Western Union, Money Gram, or any other payment sending company that is similar to them. Then it is a SCAM.
My cousin received a letter almost identical to what everyone else has written here. She called me because she knew that I would have an idea on if it was real. Even though I knew it was a SCAM I said I would look it up on-line which brought me to this page.
I am going to do what ever I can to make the person that sent the letter endlessly annoyed. I intend to have my cousin tell them that the check has been deposited and that the money will we sent in the money will be sent the next day. They will be given a FAKE MTCN for Western Union. I intend to have them running back and forth to a Western Union Agent where ever they are and looking like an Idiot.
I don't know if anyone else would be interested in doing this but, from what I can tell, this seems to be about the only thing that we can do against these people that are trying to scam people out of there earned money.
a verified customer
My husband and I just recieved the check everyone is talking about. The 100, 000 dollar check.
We done the research and found out teh same thing that everyone else is saying about mr JOSEPH.
HOW CAN WE GET THIS A** H***.????????
I just hate it that he more than likely has made money off this and there are poor people out there that actually thought that they had won money!! And hes taking the money from them.
Im so made.
I want to get this guy back so bad!!
Im going to do what BRAIN says he's going to do. Im calling him now!
a verified customer
My son who is 12 just got this letter today. He got a check for $4800.00. We were on our way to a parent teacher conference when he opened the letter. He said to me " Mom I just won $100, 00.00. I said that he was crazy. Then he showed me a check for $4800.00. I couldn't believe that this was sent to a 12 year old child. I knew that it was a scam. When we got home he showed it to my husband who went online and found this site. I am going to bring this to my local police station tomorrow and see what they can tell me. Just a little hint to all the people that get this letter. The amounts on the paper don't add up. We were sent a check for $4800.00 and they said that they would send us $96200.00 when we paid the $3800.00 taxes. Just read the letter and you can pretty much know that things just don't add up.
a verified customer
I say we hunt these people down and take care of them i cant imagen stooping this low to scame people its bad enough with the economy and people strugggling to make ends but now you have boneheads like this out there trying to push you down even more