I received a very official "PAYMENT NOTICE". In very fine print
on the top of the notice it reads: INDIVIDUAL ENTRY REQUIRED - VERIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY AND WINNER SELECTION PROCESS AND PAYMENT(S) SOLE RESPONSIBILITYOF INDIVIDUAL THIRD PARTY SPONSORS. PAYMENTS AS STATED GUARANTEED BY BOND AND REGULATED BY FEDERAL AND STATE AUTHORITIES. BY LAW NO PURCHASE OR ENTRY PAYMENT IS EVER REQUIRED.

It then states that I am the winner of $3, 175, 536.00 and goes on to say that this is an official notice that $3, 175, 536.00 is now due to be paid, my name is here, upon selection and your identity has been positively confirmed. Accordingly, Transaction File*XXXXXXXXXXX* (16 digit #, has been opened in your name in connection with this matter.

This is not a sweepstakes entry or contest solicitation. It is your Official Notification that you have been definitely qualified and confirmed eligible to immediately receive $3, 175, 536 Cash/Prize Payment Enumerated and Documentation win opportunities, which will be transferred to you upon receipt of your signed Transaction Authorization (below).

THIS IS A TIME SENSITIVE TRANSACTION AS STIPULATED DEADLINES MUST BE MET AND THEREFORE TRANSACTION FILE *XXXXXXXXXXX* CAN ONLY BE HELD OPEN IN YOUR NAME (MY NAME IS HERE AGAIN). UNTIL THE DEADLINE STATED ABOVE.

I want to know how they can say: PAYMENTS AS STATED GUARANTEED BY BOND AND REGULATED BY FEDERAL AND STATE AUTHORITIES. There is another paragraph that states:

Our data printouts have been carefully checked, and compilation runs have been completely verified. Provided we receive your authorization (postmarked by midnight of date stated) in a timely manner, we will immediately release to you the entire $3, 175, 536 Cash/Prize Payment Enumerated and Documentation entry directives to you at the address we have for you on file. Please make sure address information is correct and valid before mailing. My postmark dead line is Midnight Febuary 17, 2009. Yes! They spelled February wrong.

WARNING: IT HAS BEEN OUR EXPERIENCE THAT SO MANY CONSUMERS FAIL TO COLLECT SIGNIFICANT CASH WINNINGS SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY MISS ENTRY DEADLINES OR FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIRED PROCEDURES. DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU. GUARANTEE YOUR WIN OPPORTUNITIES BY RETURNING SIGNED TRANSACTION AUTHORIZATION PROMPTLY.

We anxiously await your timely reply so we can complete this urgent transaction to your full benefit.

Sincerely, with all salutations and good blessings,

INTERNATIONAL AWARD ADVISORS

Paul Terry
Supervisor,
Notification Directories

On the back of this document it reads:

INTERNATIONAL AWARD ADVISORS (I.A.A.) IS AN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
AND REPORTING SERVICE THAT PROVIDES SUBSCRIBES WITH A PUBLICATION DETAILING OFFICIAL RULES, AND REGULATIONS FOR ACCESS TO AND ENTRY IN CURRENT NATIONAL PRIZE DRAWS, LOTTERIES, CONTESTS, AND/OR GAMES OF CHANCE (HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS THE “PROMOTIONS”) OFFERED AND RUN BY VARIOUS CORPORATE AND/OR INDEPENDENT SPONSORS
. THIS NOTIFICATIONIS NOT A WINNER'S NOTICE. I.A.A. PUBLICATION IS ONLY PROVIDED TO SUBSCRIBERS FOR A FEE. U.A.A. DOES NOT AWARD AND/OR HOLD CASH OR PRIZES OF ANY SORT. I.A.A. OFFERS SUBSCRIBERS A REFUND IF NOT COMPLETELY SATISFIED. THIS STATEMENT WAS PREPARED FOR THE SUBSCRIBERS SATISFACTION AND SONSUMER AWARNESS. SHOULD ANY PERSON DESIRE TO BE REMOVED FROM INTERNATIONAL AWARD ADVISOR'S MAILING LIST, PLEASE SEND A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR REMOVAL TO : INTERNATIONAL AWARD ADVISORS AT P.O. BOX 8050 HUNTINGTON STATION, NY 11746-9050. I.A.A. INTERNATIONAL AWARD ADVISORS RESEARCH SERVICE CAREFULLY ACQUIRED AND MAKES AVAILABLE THE ENTRY DIRECTIVES FOR KNOW CASH, AWARDS, AND PRIZES WHICH ARE THEN PLACED IN OUT REPORT FOR OUR CUSTOMER/PATRONS COUNTRYWIDE WHOM DESIRE TO ENTER PARTICIPATION IN SUCH OPPORTUNITIES. ALL AWARDS ARE PAID TO THE WINNER BY THE INDIVIDUALLY NAMED SPONSOR.

Okay, so what this says to me is that I.A.A. is offering a service to find out, for a fee of $20.00 bucks, if the subscriber has won any funds through a open contest, sweepstake…whatever the case may be. Well, if a person wins a contest or a Sweepstakes, isn't it the Sponsor's place to notify the winner? I am saying that I.A.A. is offering a service, they way they get ones attention is by showing a possibility of what their services may do for the subscriber. They don't say that, we have to come to that conclusion from the clues in the letter.

INDIVIDUAL ENTRY REQUIRED - VERIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY AND WINNER SELECTION PROCESS AND PAYMENT(S) SOLE RESPONSIBILITYOF INDIVIDUAL THIRD PARTY SPONSORS.

INTERNATIONAL AWARD ADVISORS (I.A.A.) IS AN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH AND REPORTING SERVICE THAT PROVIDES SUBSCRIBES WITH A PUBLICATION DETAILING OFFICIAL RULES, AND REGULATIONS FOR ACCESS TO AND ENTRY IN CURRENT NATIONAL PRIZE DRAWS, LOTTERIES, CONTESTS, AND/OR GAMES OF CHANCE (HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS THE “PROMOTIONS”) OFFERED AND RUN BY VARIOUS CORPORATE AND/OR INDEPENDENT SPONSORS. THIS NOTIFICATIONIS NOT A WINNER'S NOTICE.

They do offer a refund and I am not seeing a time limit attached to that. When they stop getting responses or over loaded they probably change PO Boxes. Or maybe each month they change P.O. Boxes along with the deadlines. I don't know. $20.00 would put two decent meals on my table. I am going to trust is I won a few million, the people running the contest or sweepstakes will have to let me know or their company would suffer a black eye if the public found out. No, they knock on your door with balloons and a huge check and it is great for advertising!

I wonder if anyone's sent $20 & got big bucks. If so I'll eat the letter they sent me!!!