Other Predators

[Fluttering]

A few years ago I got stupid...I responded to a lottery thing that said I had wom..alot of money.
I recived a lot of checks and money orders...They looked real. I had talked with the person on the ophojne...We had meailed many times..I thought my efforts at entering sweeps, etc...had finally landed mea winning ticket.
I was wrong...One of the checks I submitted to my bank turned out to be bogus. The money orders I took to the post office only to find out they too were bogus and they were confiscated..I turned themover voluntairly.
The check I had placed in my persoanl checking acount landed me in a world of hurt.

A few weeks ago I recived several more checks. This time tho I was a little the wiser and immediately called the Postmaster. He verified the checks were indeed bogus and a scam. I also submitted copies of the checks to my bank.
Since that I have also recieved numerous phone calls staing I had won hugs amounts of money. I needed to only pay "courier fees" or "delivery fees". hwne i said i could not affor=d courier fees or delivery fees the party calling hung up...that in itself told me there are many more scams gong aroudn.
I thought it woud be important to shre this information for all of you to be aware...and be skeptical..."If it sounds to good to be true...it truly really is."
If you asre asked for delivery fes or topay for "courier fees"..simply stae you cannot aford them.
If you recieve a letter stating soemthing like "Due to clerical =errors, we ask you to not let anyone know about this windfall>" be skeptical...
All sweepstakes, and lotteries have safe gurads in place that those kind of errors do not exist, or are very minimal.
If asked to not say anything toanyone......know it is a scam.
Do not release any monies for what is supposed to be youur winnings.
had it not been fro my ugly embarrasing expereiince with depositing that check into my account...I woul dnot have known to question the validity fo the reecent checks.
After reading someof the posts on the forum I notice there are many that are in desperate trouble financially...I thoguht sdharing my experience might keep you more alert and wiling to question.
Should someting like this coem to you...Please call the fraud hotline number .
Thes are nasty predators who can ruin and destroy all the positive work yuou have doen so far in your recovery.

I can tell you it is not worth it to allow these sick individuals to truin your life.

Just be aware...for your own sake, sanity and your own serenity

[Midas]

That's too bad you were victimized. There are numerous scams out there. All those stupid emails you get, telling you that you've won a bazillion dollars, or recently been chosen (by somebody you don't know from Adam) as an inheritor, are totally bogus. I used to enjoy reading some of the junk for it's humor factor, but now I just outright delete it all.

[Gmoney]

I got SpamKiller and it deletes all emails not pre-approved by me. You have to be on my "friends list."

[Fluttering]

Problem is it is not just emails...The checks came in the postal mail and I have recieved phone calls also.

Somehow they are by-passing the national "Do not Call" block on the phone that I make sure is always up to date.

Any one needing the National "Do Not Call' number just pm me.

[ccgirl]

Just remember; if something like that comes in the mail and it seems to easy to be true; it probably is.

[Gmoney]

I get the checks all the time. I just throw them in the garbage. People who call get hung up on immediately.

[Midas]

If you're getting phone solicitations, even if you're on the DNC list, then it's time to change your phone number. I know it's a headache to do, but it's worth the effort. Also, google your own phone number. I guarantee you it will show up somewhere in an underground forum.

Here's a very usefull link;
https://www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailing

It will aid you in getting off those damned Direct Marketing lists. You can choose to opt out for 5 years, permanently, or opt back in.

Whatever you do, don't select opt-in.

[ccgirl]

Gary, when I get those phone calls now, I have my five year old answer and talk to them. Works like a dream, lol

[Fluttering]

May I borrow your 5 year old?? [lol]

[Morning Glory]

Here is a link that might help you.

http://www.hoax-slayer.com/email-lottery-scams.html