8663346321

apparently, they changed their number to 866-867-9987

I got a letter today. it was very scary for me. The devil is extremely busy. I was just praying for GOD to send me a blessing to pay my rent so that I wouldnt be evicted and ten minutes later i find this in the mailbox. I felt in my heart it was a scam but my desperation would have allowed me to cash it so I called my mother so that she could " talk some sense in to me". Being nosey I still called The number back866-814-8499. I spoke to a man with a thick accent who told me that I needed to cash the check tomorrow because the other 47,000 was coming on Tuesday. I told him that I never entered in any sweepstakes and I don't shop at Walmart.  Also today is Sunday why did he answer the phone and not the voice-mail. I also asked him for the time and he said the same time as mine which was 3pm. If you're in the UK why would we be on the same time zone. Then he said he was at the main office in Texas. I told him that NY is still an hour ahead so he still has the wrong time. However , the check states that the company is Boston, MA. This is a scam> i am taking my check to the news station tomorrow so that they can make others aware!!!  the sad part is that due to this recession and also the holiday season , many people are vulnerable and they will give in. I almost did!!!!

I am 17 and received a letter and my mom called the company.  Then found these post.

Got one too from PLUSNET. Same M.O..  Looked pretty good. Alerted my senses as a scam. Found this site. We are going to notify the local banks in our community. Also Local Law enforcement.

A letter from FACULTY PRACTICE FOUND, INC., 88 EAST NEWTON ST., BOSTON, MA 02118, TELE
1-702-347-9795 OR 1-800-439-3479;  informing me that I was one of the winners in the "UK & NORTH
AMERICA CONSUMER REWARD PROMOTION DRAW" organized for all customers of Wal-Mart, Sears, Home depot, Safeway, ASDA. For the last quarter, Q4, of the year, 2010.  That I was entitiled to
the sum of $100,000.00 (in Certified Check) which will be delivered to you by courier (FedEx or  UPS).
That enclosed was a check for $4,450.00, being part payment of my prize. This amount will enable me
to offset the statutory Non British Resident tax payment of $2,950.00.  That the tax is payable to your
assigned British tax officer as stated below:  Giving the Method of Payment as Western Union Money
Transfer.  "You are therefore advised to contact your Claims Representative: Mr. Kevin Smith or Martha
Nichols on Tel: 1-702-347-9795 between 8:00hrs to 17:30hrs (Eastern Standard Time) Monday through
Saturday for instructions on your payment. THEIR CHECK WAS SIGNED BY G.WASHINGTON.

I received the same letter today from Plusnet along with a check for $3850. The check looks so legit I almost went to deposit in my bank but decided to google the name of the company that sent the check and found this post. I can't believe these people are getting away with this and it makes me wonder how many unfortunate victims have been scammed this way. They also have a different phone number 866-814-8499 but the names are all the same. Anyway so glad I found these posts. These people have got to be stopped and I hope they get caught soon!!!!

I got one of these today. It was from Plusnet a Financial Express Co. The check was for $3850.00. The check was from Faculty Practice Found, Inc. They wanted us to cash the check and wire $1850.00 via Western Union or Money Gram International Money transfer. Tax officer was Lucy Jones 9 Plumstead Road, London United Kingdom, Se18 7bz. The payment plan officers were Mr. Marvin Anderson and Ms. Malie Frank.

Has any one cashed one of these checks & seen if it comes back ? Just curious. Is there a way to find out if it is bad with out deposit it or cashing it ? Who can we report this scam to - so they can catch them?

This is the fake-check-for-Western-Union-money scam. The check they send you is fake but it takes a few days after depositing it to find out it's fake. The money you wire them via Western Union (Moneygram, etc.) is your own real money, the wiring process only takes short hours and the money irretrievable. Owing to the difference in processing times, the scammers will have your real money in hand before your bank learns their check is bad. You'll lose the money you send them and may be prosecuted for passing a bad check. You are effectively acting in the capacity of a bank for the scammer in exchanging your own money for his bad check. It's a scam. Take the check to the police and file a complaint with the US Postal Service Inspectors https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx

Do not cash or deposit the check as you can be prosecuted for passing a bad check.
To find out whether it's any good (it won't be), do a search for the issuing bank using the routing number on the check, then call that bank, tell them how you got the check and ask if the account's good for the amount.
Since you have the address of the scammer in the UK, I suggest reporting this to the UK authorities here https://secure.consumerdirect.gov.uk/reportascam.aspx as well as the US postal inspectors (link in my post below).

I just got a letter simular to the one you got today. However mine is for $3,850 and they wanted $1,850 for taxes. What I found so funny is that when I called the number (886-814-8499) no one answered and about two minutes after I hung up the phone I got a call back from a Mr. Marvin Anderson. Yet it came up unknown. What I would like to know is what the US is goin to try and stop these scams? I informed Money Gram and Wal-Mart of this scam.

I recieved one of those letters to..Pleased to inform me that i was one of the prize winners in the "Uk & North America Reward Promotion Draw"organized for customers of Wal-mart,Sears,Home depot,Safeway,ASDA. Says i'm entitled to and guaranteed 50,000.00( in certified check), which will be delivered by courier(Fed-X or UPS). The enclosed check was for 3,800.00. Tax Amount 2,900.00. payment method Western Union.Check this out, the check enclosed was part of my payment prize.   Then it tells you contact your Claims Representative:Mrs. Joyce Smith or Mr. Joe Elvis on tel:1-866-202-3157 between 8;00 to 17;30hrs. (Eastern Standard Time) Monday through Saturday for instructions on your payment. Also stated not to act until you speak with your Claims Reprsentative. The Tax  Office : Sandra Jones, 11-13 Sandy hill road, SE18 &BQ London, United Kingdom. I called the number a man answered with an accent and told me to call back monday when I deposited the check. I then asked him how I know dis for-real and he told me the office was closed call bac Monday, but when i asked to speak to him he said it was him and when i explained my reason for calling he then told me to deposit the check on monday, then call him after i deposit the check, and that i was gonna be recieving another check for 6,000.00 by Fed X. So i asked how i know dis forreal, he then stated office closed, and  then he hung up on me. I knew it was too good to be true. I then got on my computer and look the company up and it brought me to this page. Thanks for letting me know that this was a scam...

I forgot to let everyone know dat I am from Macon,Ga.

Thanks for the answers - unanimous- big help. i will pursue it. I want to bust them.

I just received a letter and a check in the mail today 1/12/2011 from PLUSNET A Financial Express Co. Phone # 866-295-1231 It's about a Consumer PROMOTION DRAW

Also received a check from SMOKE EATERS, LLC   The bank is JPMorgan Chase Bank Dallas, TX.
for the sum of $3,850 and I would have to send  $1800 Method of Payment Western Union or Money Gram International Money Transfer

ALL THESE ARE SCAM'S  (DON'T BE FOOLED)

Same deal here.  
Check from JP Morgan Bank.  Signed by, No To Amount?  
Looks like more food for my shredder!!!

just got one today...8668148499.....$3850.....tax...$1850...send to anna wilson..n it was mr marvin anderson who answered...WOW!

Thanks for all the reports here. I received their check on Citizens Bank of Boston. It has been
lying here on my desk about 2 weeks in the amount of 4450.00. I do not know why I kept it
because no one sends you money out of the blue. That simply is not done. Stuff like this is
always a scam and I know it, but thanks for the reinforcement. These scams remind me of
the internet hackers/scammers that are flourishing around the free world.

This is amazing how this scam artists get away with this, unbelievable. I just got one today for 3800 and I will get the rest of the 50K later.

I just got the same check in the mail but it stated it was to be drawn on Wells FargoBank. I googled all the info on the check and on the letter, none of the companies were affliated with the check.  Finally I googled PulnNet.......Bingo!!!!!!!. it hit this site, I read through all the reports.... I'm thankful I am aie savvy person and also have a computer...These people from Nigeria must think all of us are idiots or have MH... These scamers need to be caught... problems, I don't think so. same people differnt letters... Mali Frank is disgrace...

My letter and check were from the Faculty Practice Found., Inc with the check written on the Citizens Bank, Boston MA.  Telephone numbers listed at 1-866-202-3157 or Int'l 01144-740-495-5737.  I checked the company via Google and apparently there _is_ a Faculty Practice Foundation, at 88 East Newton St. Boston, MA, however, it is a cardiac/thoracic surgery outfit, no relation to "Draw" promotion.  The routing number on the check _does_ trace to RBS Citizens Bank in Boston.  But based on the multiple instances listed here of these scam letters, I'm convinced it is the bogus-check-for-Western_Union-cash scam.

I filed a Mail Fraud complaint with the USPS in hopes these people will be shut down.