888-414-7953

SCAM alert:

I got a check for $4,980.00 from Fidelity Trust (Phone:  289-892-2730; Fax:  888-414-7953)along with a letter congratulating me on my home improvement grant approval. The grant for $39,000.00 was supposed to have been deposited into an escrow account. The check for $4,980.00 was a deduction from the total grant ($39,000.00) to assist me in paying the necessary fees and taxes.... SCAM!

Stay away from this scam.

I have this same Letter and Check.

I received this same letter and check today.
I had my bank to verify that the check was good. They called the bank it was drawn on and verified the funds were available and the company was legit.
How does this scam work ?

I have the same check I received it yesterday. Did you ever go through with it? Did you get your money?What happened?

The number for the bank on the check is wrong. Call information and you will get the REAL number for the bank and find out that the money wasnt EVER there! When you cash the check they send and then do as they say you get stuck with a bounced check and they get the cash. DO NOT DO THIS...I PROMISE YOU IT IS A SCAM!!!!!

we got the same letter. when i called, he sounded foreigner(nigerian accent). he told me to deposit the check and  pay the fee. when i asked him if i can deduct the fee from the check amount because it might be a scam, he said,it is not a scam(he won't admit of course :) ) if you pay, it's ok. if you don't , don't worry about it and hang up. so it is for sure a scammmmmm

STAY AWAY!!! We got this same letter with a check for 3,980 stating to use this money for taxes and fees for the claim of 39,000.00 for my home improvement grant.We had to call to activate the check at number (289-892-4683)Ask for Jennifer Hayes or Tony Robinson.We did and cash the check into the account and sent them the 1950.00 they requested for the fees. Then the checked bounced. After sending the money, needless to say we got scammed and put in debit 3,980 dollars.

I received a letter and check from Briggs & Stratton Dev; Inc. with a check for $1990.60 on a supposed business/home improvement grant for $37,000.00. The letter and check look authentic, but my first scam clue was the semi-colon in the business title.  When I researched Briggs & Stratton and found out they deal in small engines, I knew the letter was VERY fishy. Briggs & Stratton have a good reputation with Better Business Bureau, so I did a search on the phone number listed.  I was rewarded with finding this site.
BEWARE OF THESE TYPES OF SCAM LETTERS!!!  They look realistic, but are clever products from SCUM con artists.

got the exact same letter in iowa

Thank you so much for your help!! I recieved the exact same letter today. I just had a gut feeling it was a rip off. Mine was from HOMELIFE GROUP,INC. The check had Briggs and Stratton Dev. Inc. It was for 4,550.20 U.S. Bank, N.A. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. James C. Brenn is the signature on it. SCAM!!SCAM!!SCAM!! If you have to send money to get money that should be the First and ONLY clue you need. Please watch out for this SCAM!!!Thank You.

Everyone who got this check needs to report it to the UNITED STATES POSTAL INSPECTOR for mail fraud is a federal offense. The check is Fake and Altered. Help by reporting to US Postal Inspector. www.uspostalmailfraud.gov

report check from this number to UNITED STATES POSTAL INSPECTOR, MAIL FRAUD. This is a Fake and Altered Check!

FOR THOSE WHO RECEIVED CHECK IN THE MAIL IT IS FAKE ALTERED AND NEEDS TO BE REPORTED
Here is the link to report this
http://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx

REPORT THIS SCAM!

http://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx

EVERYONE!!!!
REPORT THIS SCAM!!!!

http://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx

You need to send a complaint to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service
http://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx
This is an urgent matter, immediately contact your nearest law enforcement agency. You may also go to the Federal Trade Commission site.

Fake Check Scam:  Don’t deposit it – report it! Report fake check scams to NCL's Fraud Center, at www.fraud.org. That information will be transmitted to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

U.S. Postal Inspectors investigate any crime in which the U.S. Mail is used to further a scheme--whether it originated in the mail, by telephone, or on the Internet. The use of the U.S. Mail is what makes it mail fraud. If evidence of a postal violation exists, Postal Inspectors may seek prosecutive or administrative action against the violator.
Postal Inspectors base investigations of mail fraud on the number, pattern, and substance of complaints received from the public. The Postal Inspection Service will carefully review the information you provide. If you feel you've been victimized in a fraud scheme that involves the U.S. Mail, submit a Mail Fraud Complaint Form to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. http://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx

I received a letter in the mail today from American Idol with 2 checks enclosed.I call the number an left a message and they called right back. He told me to deposit the smaller check ($2950.00) which would pay the taxes for the bigger check ($20,000.00) He said to deposit right away and call he when it cleared. He would then send me to a loction so I could write a check and pay for the taxes and then I could deposit the $20,000.00 check. He said that American Idol is looking for tax breaks and that why people are winning this money. DON'T DEPOSIT THIS MONEY. tHE WHOLE THING IS A BIG SCAM!!

i received the same check did it ever bounce for you or were you scammed?  not sure what to do