Guide to Sweepstakes

It’s your lucky day!!

Sue: My claim number is 587456. I live at 4984 S. 1 st Street. I got a letter about some sort of prize? ILC Representative: Congratulations Ms. Jones, you’re our big winner!!!

The money is on its way to Canada…

Three weeks later…

She sees that check again…

VOID Counterfeit

Sue didn’t know the difference between “Available Balance” and “Current Balance”.

Banks are required to allow account holders access to their funds within 5 days or less, but it takes more time for a check to actually clear.

The Current Balance is the actual balance in your account on a specific day, and does not reflect any holds or pending transactions (transactions not yet posted).

It is illegal for American citizens to win foreign lotteries through the mail or email. You should never have to pay an advanced fee to participate in a sweepstakes. Even if the organizers tell you its for taxes or insurance. No matter how official these solicitations look or sound, they’re not real. Lottery scammers often insist the money be wired to them. That makes it quicker for them to get it and harder to trace. The only guarantee is that you’ll end up on more “sucker lists.” Your chances of recovering money from foreign crooks may be even worse than of actually winning a lottery.

What to do if you receive a foreign lottery letter:

Turn over the mailing to the US Postal Inspection Service.

If it originates in Canada, you can contact the Phonebusters division of the Royal Canadian Mounties. Call toll free: 1-888-495-8501

Anytime you receive a questionable offer, you can contact your local BBB for information. Call 1-800-359-0979 or visit us on the web at www.evansville.bbb.org