647-219-1858

potential I.D. theft scam

I received a letter saying that I'd won a sweepstakes sponsored by "North American Retailers Guild".  The reply number was the one you listed...(647)219-1858.  They enclosed a check for $4,875.00 as partial payment of a total sweepstakes win of $125,000.  The letter looked VERY phony, but the check looked legitimate.  Luckily, I listen to Clark Howard, and am also computer savvy and did extensive research. I know that these scams are prevalent.

I pity those less knowledgeable will fall for this.  Once one would cash the check, the scammers can wipe out your bank account.  Beware - these people prey on the elderly.  I'm 75, and thankfully alert.

One more thing - the number is an Ontario Canada number.  I found this out on the internet by typing just the area code - 647.

Luckily I have not lost one penny, but I bet there are others who have.

I just receive a letter in the mail with the same thing. I was doing some research and saw this post. At least im not the only one.

I received the same letter today with a check that looked legit. I knew it was a scam so I called the # to see who it was, and they used the name of Advantage. I'm half tempted to call him back and give him heck.

My son who is 11 years old received two letters with checks saying he had won a sweepstakes check issued by Omega Bank called them bogus check. Second letter be a secret shopper and cash check and send money through Money Gram different phone number 905-782-9977 these people are those Nigerian scams you hear about on tv and the internet. DO NOT CASH THESE CHECKS!!! Also what can I do to stop these checks from coming in my son's name and how did they get his name? These people need to be stopped.

We received A letter and A check from ALL STATES MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD.

Drawn On a UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA!  In the amt of $4.875.00… When I called Union bank to verify funds, they did not have a client with that name! I will be turning this check and letter over to the US POSTAL INSPECTOR!!!!! THIS IS A BOGUS CHECK DO NOT PUT IT IN YOUR ACCOUNT! Union bank never heard of this company…..IF IT SOUNDS TO GOOD TO BE TRUE!!! IT IS


RPEARCE   The phone number on the letter is 1-647-219-1858

I did call them back, and told them I had deposited the check (which I had not) Ok I will play the silly game, I was then told to wire them the same amt back! of 4.875, and then in two days I would get anonhter check of 120 K...I was born but not yesterday! Someone is suposed to call me tomorow with whear to wire the funds!!! I intend to milk these people for as much info as I can get! I will keep you posted...

I got the letter but mine said it was for a settle claim.  The funny thing is that about a year or two ago I did take part in class action against a company, my share of the 'settlement' was only $4.57 but even that one came registered!  When this one came in a plan envelope I knew it could not be real...as much I wanted it too be LOL

I did some research too but decided to call to see what would happen.  A man with a heavy acent answered "This is Jon" and I said "Hello Jon, I am a part of the class action settlement and I am wondering if you can tell me how to get to your website, I want to know about your wonderful company." He hung up.  His 'name' on the letter was Jon Bill V.P. Loss Prevention.  

I don't think we can do anything to these people. I am sure since it is from another country there would be too much red tape to bother.  I can see how you can be scammed if you are not looking carefully...the check looks very real.  But I had heard of this scam and the really poorly created letterhead gave it away.  

By the way, I am 51, not retired, and not wealthy by any means.  I think it's just random like the lady who's son got one.  Too many people will continue to fall for this and that is why it keeps happening.  There are some mean people in this world.

Amazing... I got the letter from All States Management Services LTD as well stating I had an outstanding sweepstakes claim and they also sent a check for $$4875.00. Notice though the check is drawn from Union Bank of California and the company is out of San Diego, CA however the postmark on the very plain envelop is from Canada.

When calling the number I also heard the man with the heavy accent say "this is Jon"... I hope no one gets caught in this scam!!

This # is in direct relation to 905-782-9977, and I urge anyone who got a check from Advantage Mkg, LLC to bombard the number; if a man claiming to be a Jon Bill (actually J. Parham in Ontario, Canada) answers, remind him to turn himself in... This latest scam involves a check supposed to be used to cover fees associated with Lottery or Mystery Shopping. They are bogus and if you deposit them, be prepared to pay that amount to the bank!!!

We got the same deal...except it was from "NOVASTAR INC & NORTHERN TRUST" with a 416 area code (also Canada). The address used in Kansas City didn't come up on Google or using Google Maps. Number is 4168764165.

I found this page by searching for "NORTH AMERICAN RETAILERS GUILD", which is mentioned in the letter. Funny thing is "Major Sponsors" include Network Funding LP, McDonalds, JCPenney, Target, WalMart Walgreens, Kroger, Safeway, KMart, Albertsons and CostCo.

I received a check in the mail from Advantage Mkg services LLC in the amount of 4875.00 today.  I figured it was a scam and found this sight.  I hope no one gets taken with this scam.

I'll have to go back and check my caller ID because I never answer calls I don't recognize anyway; however, I did receive a letter from Jon Bill dated November 6, 2008.  It also came from Northern Trust LLC.. but was said to be located in Las Vegas, Nevada.  It also said I had won $4875.00 as partial payment of $125,000 for having a winning entry number 000183947 in category "A" of the North American Retailers Guild promotional program and listed some very familiar retailers with whom I often do business.  I was ill that day because I have heart problems when my husband showed me the letter and the check which I figured was some sort of scam, but my husband wanted to check it out.  I told him to research it on the computer, but he called the number and said they wanted to talk to me.  I guess  maybe they asked him some questions he couldn't answer.  They told him to have me call back which I haven't done.  He went ahead and deposited it into my account but told them to put an 11 day hold on the check.  I'm feeling better now and decided to do  my own research.  I'm glad I did.  I don't really know why anyone would want to steal my identity because I have crappy credit and live on my disability check.  I just opened the bank account and have not had direct deposit done as of yet.  He's welcome to my $14.95 I had left in  my account, and I have no overdraft protection since I don't have direct deposit set up so I guess I'll call my friend at the bank tomorrow and see what I should do.  I'll probably have to start a new bank account all over again before I deposit my check which will be here in a few days.  My husband needs to be less gullible.  This isn't the first time he's gotten us into a pickle.  Why hasn't anyone arrested this man if they know who he is?

I have received the sweepstakes letter as well as 2 of the secret shopper letters with the moneygram info.  The first thing that tipped me off other than all the grammatical errors was the Canadian stamp.  Who can we report this to?

I just got the check today and a guy with a deep voice piked up the phone I knew it was a scam he told me 2 deposit my check and there is nooo way am going to do that.

i just got one myself im 23 years old and decided to look them up online... thanks for the tip off my wife wanted to deposit it today =P the number on the stuff was 416-876-4165.....

p.s.

im gonna see what "red tape" there might be, ill keep posting, dont throw away your packets from them.

Oh my God!! I fell for it!!! I got the same letter and did what they told me!!! my bank put a 3 day hold on it then I got the cash and sent it to them!!! please anything I can do?   I want to die!!!! I will be $4,875 short on my bank wont it?

Yeah i got the same letter. i was really hoping it was true. i just dont get how you could process a phony check from a bank with noone under that account. im glad i did some research first. is there anyway i could get this guy screwed over. i have bums like this.