Letter was sent to me via air mail from Canada claiming that I had been pulled from a winning lottery of five people who were claimed to have won $39, 400 each. I was sent a cashiers check in the amount of $3, 900.oo. I was told when I called the number provided in the letter that I could cash the check by either depositing it into a checking or savings account or have it cashed at a check cashing facility. After the check was cashed I was to contact the names listed in the letter to make arrangements to pay the "Luxury Tax". The letter I received is as follows. (Note: The typos in this proceeding letter are intentional. This is how I recived it!)

Claim Number: AV21133

Dear ******* *******

Final Notification
Congatulations
We wish to notify you of the release of the Consumer's Reward Program Lottery held on March 20, 2009. Your name, attached to ticket number 6038119 drew the lucky numbers of 2, 5, 11, 16, 26, and 42 which ultimately WON the lottery in the second catergory.

Please read the following carefully
You have been approved for the lump sum payment of $39, 400 credited to an account with the above Claim number. This amount is drawn from the total prize of $480, 00 shared among the North American Winners in this category. Previous attemps to contact you directly on April 23 & 24, 2009 failed, resulting in this final notification. For security reasons, we advise that you keep this award from public notice until your claims have been finalized. This will help us prevent fraud and double claims.

THE DRAW
All participants were selected randomly through computer fromn Consumer database directory system, drawn from a pool of 98, 000 customers provided by various department and chain stores and other service institutions across North America.

CLAIMS
In order to facilitate speedy and hassle free processing of your claim, we have deducted $3, 992.00 from your total price to enable you to pay for the applicable "Luxury Tax". Please contact one of your agents Garry Diaz or Tina Reyer at 1-905-598-6193 as soon as you recieve this notifictaion. They will assist you in finalizing your claim.

ALL PRICES MUST BE CLAIMED BY MAY 19, 2009

CONGRATULATIONS ONCE MORE!!!

Sincerely
(signed by Lisa Epainto)
Lisa Epainto
Vice President


I did call the number and they claim I was picked because I used a credit card at Home Depot Or Wal-Mart. Well guess what!!! I don't use credit cards and this really has me wondering where the heck they got my address...im sure its off of some dang website or something and luckily I'm not a a DUMB***...but I am sure there are some people...innocent people who may fall for this kind of thing. I just hope someone does something about it!!!
PS...the letter had the Payless Shoes, Western Union, and Starbucks logos photocopied poorly to the bottom of the letter!!