800-985-5594

Bill Carson claims to be from the awards claim center working for the Grand Sweepstakes Giveaway, he claims that I won a 2009 Lincon Navigator.  He left a message claiming that I had entered such a contest, something that I did not do.  Called back and did not get an answer only an answering machine.

Same with me.He claims to be from the awards claim center working for the Grand Sweepstakes Giveaway, he claims that I won a 2009 Lincon Navigator too.  He also called again and left the same message for my daughter!

He is with Global Network Vacations from what I could find.  You call, leave a message, he gets back w/you to tell you when you can pick up your Navigator, $2,500 cashiers check, 6 day/5 night all inclusive vaca in FL (including airfare) + $1000 in spending cash, or a 32" Flat screen TV.  You go there, sit through presentation of timeshare membership, go one on one w/sales rep (and I've found they are very pushy and rude www.ripoffreport.com/.../global-vacation.../global-vacation-network-dishon-5cpa6.htm, and you walk w/ one of the gifts.  That's all I know.  Same thing happened to me, talked w/Bill tonight, have to go to Dublin to do this thing.  Husband doesn't want to go, nor do I really. Only one person walks out w/Navigator.  If you are the lucky type, go for it. We're not so we probably won't bother.  Those timeshare things are pretty stressful, and for a "32 flat screen not worth it.

Same thing happend to me too.Bill Carson called that I won a Lexus in a sweepstakes and to call the number 1-800-985-5594 asap. To claim my price. I did'nt call and checked the phonenumber first. And found all your answers here.

Call from Brian Edwards saying I won the contest that I entered ( I entered none) saying I won Lincon  Navigator or $45,000 cash, but time was of the essence to claim my winnings. I did not call, but checked here instead.

Being a skeptic, I checked the number before calling and found all your posts. thanks for the heads up! I never entered this contest and don't appreciate the false claims.

Received a call from "Bill" this morning.  Said he was calling from the Prize Distribution Center regarding the Grand Sweeps Giveaway.  My prize was either a mini cooper or $20,000.  The number he left for a return call went straight to voicemail.  A few hours later another person called back.  He wanted to know if I could pick up my prize next week in Mystic CT.  He wouldn't tell me what I had won.  Then he wanted all sorts of personal information - age, marital status, income.  I told him I wasn't going to give out my personal information and he hung up on me!  Total SCAM as I suspected!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

16 Ways You Can be Phone Scammed

18 Nov 2008
When we started 800Notes.com we had no idea that telemarketing fraud comes in so many flavors. The variations include 'cramming', 'slamming', credit card scams, calls from telemarketers pretending to be IRS, sweepstakes and lotteries scams, advance fee  loan scams, phone toner scams, fat finger dialing scams, and area code phone scams.
Typically the goal is to get you to reveal personal, bank account information, or to make you do something that will result in unwanted charges on your account. Individuals and businesses are equally affected by these scams although the schemes might be different.
In this article I will outline the 16 most popular phone scams. I am sure there are more, so if you have been a victim of a phone scam, or you know of a phone scam not mentioned here, please share it with me and the readers in the comments.
Send this article to your family members, co-workers, and employees. Give it to your teenage kids and elderly parents (studies show they are the most vulnerable to the scams). As the old saying goes, "Forewarned is Forearmed".

2.    Another phone scam involves calls from “Prize Distribution Centers” that claim that you are the winner in sweepstakes or a lottery. Of course, you are not the only “winner” in the lottery and tens of thousands of people received the same call.

The goal of the scheme is to entice you to make a relatively small payment (for example, shipping and handling fee, a sales tax) promising that a much bigger prize will be sent your way. Once the payment is sent, you will most likely not hear from the company again, and a promised “Lincoln Navigator” will not find its way to your driveway.



8.    Agreeing to attend a sales meeting just to win an "expensive" prize is likely to subject you to a high-pressure sales pitch.



Prize Offers: You Don’t Have to Pay to Play!
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/telemarketing/tel17.shtm

Congratulations, it’s your lucky day! You’ve just won $5,000!

You’re guaranteed to win a fabulous diamond ring, luxury vacation or all-terrain vehicle!

If you receive a letter or phone call with a message like this, be skeptical. The $5,000 "prize" may cost you hundreds of dollars in taxes or service charges — and never arrive. Your "fabulous" prize may not be worth collecting. The diamond is likely to be the size of a pinhead. The "vacation" could be one night in a seedy motel, and the ATV, nothing more than a lounge chair on wheels!

Scam artists often use the promise of a valuable prize or award to entice consumers to send money, buy overpriced products or services, or contribute to bogus charities. People who fall for their ploys may end up paying far more than their "prizes" are worth, if they get a prize at all.

What these people are likely to get - especially if they signed up for a contest drawing at a public place or event — may be more than they bargained for: more promotions in the mail, more telemarketing calls and more unsolicited commercial email, or "spam." This is because many prize promoters sell the information they collect to advertisers.

Worse yet, contest entrants might subject themselves to a bogus prize promotion scam.

And The Winner Is...

Everyone loves to be a winner. A recent research poll showed that more than half of all American adults entered sweepstakes within the past year. Most of these contests were run by reputable marketers and non-profit organizations to promote their products and services. Some lucky winners received millions of dollars or valuable prizes.

Capitalizing on the popularity of these offers, some con artists disguise their schemes to look legitimate. And an alarming number of people take the bait. Every day, consumers throughout the United States lose thousands of dollars to unscrupulous prize promoters. During 1999 alone, the Federal Trade
Commission received more than 10,000 complaints from consumers about gifts, sweepstakes and prize promotions. Many received telephone calls or postcards telling them they'd won a big prize - only to find out that to claim it, they had to buy something or pay as much as $10,000 in fees or other charges.

There's a big difference between legitimate sweepstakes and fraudulent ones. Prizes in legitimate contests are awarded solely by chance, and contestants don't have to pay a fee or buy something to enter or increase their odds of winning. In fraudulent schemes, however, "winners" almost always have to dip into their pockets to enter a contest or collect their "prize."

Skill Contests
There's one notable exception: skill contests. These are puzzles, games or other contests in which prizes are awarded based on skill, knowledge or talent - not on chance. Contestants might be required to write a jingle, solve a puzzle or answer questions correctly to win.
Unlike sweepstakes, skill contests may legally require contestants to buy something or make a payment or donation to enter.
It's important to recognize that many consumers are deceptively lured into playing skill contests by easy initial questions or puzzles. Once they've sent their money and become "hooked," the questions get harder and the entry fees get steeper. Entrants in these contests rarely receive anything for their money and effort.

Consumer Protections
Several consumer laws help protect consumers against fraudulent sweepstakes and prize offers promoted through the mail or by phone.
Telephone Solicitations
Telemarketers frequently use sweepstakes and prize contests to sell magazines or other goods and services. These telemarketers make an initial contact with consumers through "cold calls," or take calls from consumers who are responding to a solicitation they received by mail.

The Telemarketing Sales Rule helps protect consumers from fraudulent telemarketers who use prize promotions as a lure. In every telemarketing call involving a prize promotion, the law requires telemarketers to tell you:
    the odds of winning a prize. If the odds can't be determined in advance, the promoter must tell you the factors used to calculate the odds.
    that you don't have to pay a fee or buy something to win a prize or participate in the promotion.
    if you ask, how to participate in the contest without buying or paying anything.
    what you'll have to pay or the conditions you'll have to meet to receive or redeem a prize.

The Telemarketing Sales Rule prohibits telemarketers from misrepresenting any of these facts, as well as the nature or value of the prizes. It also requires telemarketers who call you to pitch a prize promotion to tell you before they describe the prize that you don't have to buy or pay anything to enter or win.

Written Solicitations
Many sweepstakes promotions arrive by mail as a letter or postcard that instructs the consumer to respond by return mail or phone to enter a contest or collect a prize.

The Deceptive Mail Prevention and Enforcement Act helps protect consumers against fraudulent sweepstakes promotions sent through the mail. The law prohibits:
    claims that you're a winner unless you've actually won a prize.
    requirements that you buy something to enter the contest or to receive future sweepstakes mailings.
    the mailing of fake checks that don't clearly state that they are non-negotiable and have no cash value.
    seals, names or terms that imply an affilia-tion with or endorsement by the federal government.

Skill Contests

Skill contests also are covered by the new Deceptive Mail Prevention and Enforcement Act. The law requires the sponsors to disclose in a clear and conspicuous way:
    the terms, rules and conditions of the contest.
    how many rounds of the contest you must achieve to win the grand prize.
    the time frame for the winner to be determined.
    the name of the contest's sponsor.
    an address where you can reach the sponsor to request that your name be removed from the mailing list.

Just Say "No"
Another way to protect yourself is to request that your name be removed from mail and telephone solicitation lists.

The Telemarketing Sales Rule requires telemarketers to keep a "do not call" list of consumers who have asked not to be called again. Calling a consumer who has made this request is illegal and can subject the telemarketer to a hefty fine.

The Deceptive Mail Prevention and Enforcement Act requires companies that use direct mail to maintain a similar "do not mail" list for consumers who call or write and ask that their name be removed from the mailing list.

This new law gives caregivers the right to have the names of the friends and loved ones under their care removed from the mailing lists of undesirable solicitors.

Another way to reduce mail and telephone solicitations is to contact the Direct Marketing Association to request that your name be placed on its "do not call," "do not mail" and "do not email" lists. Association members agree not to solicit consumers who have requested that they not be contacted.

To have your name removed from direct mail marketing lists, write: Direct Marketing Association, Preference Service Manager, 1120 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036-6700. To have your name removed from telemarketing lists, write: Direct Marketing Association, Preference Service Manager, 1120 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036-6700. To "opt out" of receiving unsolicited commercial email, use the DMA's form at www.e-mps.org.

A Dozen Ways to Protect Yourself
The next time you get a "personal" letter or telephone call telling you "it’s your lucky day," the Federal Trade Commission encourages you to remember that:
1.    Legitimate sweepstakes don’t require you to pay or buy something to enter or improve your chances of winning, or to pay "taxes" or "shipping and handling charges" to get your prize. If you have to pay to receive your "prize," it’s not a prize at all.

2.    Sponsors of legitimate contests identify themselves prominently; fraudulent promoters are more likely to downplay their identities. Legitimate promoters also provide you with an address or toll-free phone numbers so you can ask that your name be removed from their mailing list.

3.    Bona fide offers clearly disclose the terms and conditions of the promotion in plain English, including rules, entry procedures, and usually, the odds of winning.

4.    It’s highly unlikely that you’ve won a "big" prize if your notification was mailed by bulk rate. Check the postmark on the envelope or postcard. Also be suspicious of telemarketers who say you’ve won a contest you can’t remember entering.

5.    Fraudulent promoters might instruct you to send a check or money order by overnight delivery or courier to enter a contest or claim your "prize." This is a favorite ploy for con artists because it lets them take your money fast, before you realize you’ve been cheated.

6.    Disreputable companies sometimes use a variation of an official or nationally recognized name to give you confidence in their offers. Don’t be deceived by these "look-alikes." It’s illegal for a promoter to misrepresent an affiliation with — or an endorsement by — a government agency or other well-known organization.

7.    It’s important to read any written solicitation you receive carefully. Pay particularly close attention to the fine print. Remember the old adage that "the devil is in the details."

8.    Agreeing to attend a sales meeting just to win an "expensive" prize is likely to subject you to a high-pressure sales pitch.

9.    Signing up for a sweepstakes at a public location or event, through a publication or online might subject you to unscrupulous prize promotion tactics. You also might run the risk of having your personal information sold or shared with other marketers who later deluge you with offers and advertising.

10.    Some contest promoters use a toll-free "800" number that directs you to dial a pay-per-call "900" number. Charges for calls to "900" numbers may be very high.

11.    Disclosing your checking account or credit card account number over the phone in response to a sweepstakes promotion — or for any reason other than to buy the product or service being sold — is a sure-fire way to get scammed in the future.

12.    Your local Better Business Bureau and your state or local consumer protection office can help you check out a sweepstakes promoter’s reputation. Be aware, however, that many questionable prize promotion companies don’t stay in one place long enough to establish a track record, and the absence of complaints doesn’t necessarily mean the offer is legitimate.

To File a Complaint
Consumers who believe they have been victimized by fraudulent promotional offers also should contact their local postmaster or the U.S. Postal Inspection Service by phone, toll-free, at: 1-888-877-7644; by email at: www.uspsoig.gov; or by mail at: U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Office of Inspector General, Operations Support Group, 222 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1250, Chicago, IL 60606-6100.
If you have a problem with a sweepstakes or prize promotion after participating, and you are unable to resolve the problem directly with the company, contact:
    The Direct Marketing Association, ConsumerLine, 1111 19th Street, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20036-3603; phone 202-955-5030; fax 202-955-0085.
    The Better Business Bureau where the company is located.
    Call for Action, a network of radio and television station hotlines that offer resolution services for consumers. Call 301-657-7490 or write: Call for Action, 5272 River Road, Suite 300, Bethesda, MD 20816.
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
July 2000

I received a call from 773-770-6258 (which is an Illinois number) claiming to be from the "Prize Distribution Center" telling me I had won a MiniCooper or $20,000. They tell me to call Brian Edwards at 800-985-5594 to claim my prize which is "time limited."

Now that I see what other people have "won," I am wondering why they did not think I was worth a Lincoln Navigator...

In all seriousness, this is a big problem and I hope these people get nailed.

Got the same call from a male today claiming to be from the "Prize Distribution Center" telling me I had won a MiniCooper or $20,000. Then the caller tells me to call Brian Edwards at 800-985-5594 to claim my prize which is "time limited."

I got the same message today! How annoying!

I got a message from left on my machine stating that I needed to contact "Brian Edwards" at 800-985-5594 regarding a contest I entered. He stated I could either choose from $20,000 or a Mini Cooper. I did not enter any contest, and will not be returning his call. His caller ID phone number stated: (773) 446-7607 calling from IL.

I was called today asking to return a call to Brian Edwards at 1-800-985-5594 about a contest we won. Either $20k or a 2010 mini cooper. Neither myself or my wife have entered any such contest but I decided to call back regardless, although skeptical. When I called from a private number, he simply answers "claim center" giving no further verification of the company or the sweepstakes he was representing and was immediately defensive. He made claims such as "we are in the business of helping people" "I didn't try to hide my identity when we called you" (false call was from "unknown name" -773-482-2969). After several attempts to get some sort of evidence that this a was a genuine sweepstakes he ended the call saying he did not have to award any prize, "this call has gone bad" "it's in my contract" and hung up. Afterward I decided to dig around some and found this site immediately, could have saved myself a call.

I received a voice mail last night saying my name had been drawn in the "Grand Sweepstakes" for a MiniCooper or $20,000 and "Congratulations."   The message said to call Brian Edwards at 1-800-985-5594 to claim my time limited prize. I remember entering a drawning months ago (Christmas 2009) at the Port Columbus Airport for either a car or cash, and am bummed that my contact information is being used in a scam.   I haven't returned the call.

Brian Edwards just called and left a message my name was selected and I won a Grand prize.  He did not state a name so I guess whomever pick up the phone would have been the winner.  I called the number he left however, all I get is a recorded message to leave my name and phone number.  RIGHT!   I guess the winner would then be me.