8888279369

To follow up ... I did call my credit card company (Chase) and they did independently verify/confirm (a) that there was indeed a promotion that applied for my account 2-3 months ago, (b) that I did indeed qualify, and (c) that the promotional reward was indeed a Marriott $100 coupon.  Therefore I'm convinced it's perfectly legitimate.  Case closed for me.

i'm not sure about the number but the reward headquarters at 1301 n. highway dr. fenton, mo 63099 is chase's credit cards' reward company. on my card i get 1% cash back for all purchases and 3% for certain purchases at gas stations, office supplies, etc. i think a third party handles the rewards.

it's real. not sure about the number though.

Received gift cards today from the same Fenton address. Read through the posts and checked the following link from Chase regarding reward points redeem. What Tim E said in previous page makes sense. It must be from the reward points that we have been accumulating by using the Chase card(I was not even aware of it). Apparently, if we don't select our own gift cards/reward check, someone will select for us.

https://www.chase.com/index.jsp?pg_name=ccpma ... mateRewards_FAQ

I just got the same target $25 gift card and I called Chase right  off before looking at this blog of messages, Chase denied any such mailing, I had them check all of my credit cards but no such reward, perhaps it is from 2008? but it is Agust 2009....???? I was very suspicious.

I have an Amazon.com credit card through Chase Bank.  I had accumulated enough reward points to qualify for $50 check.  I filled out the info last week and today I received the check.  It looks good to me

That is a fake check. I am a banker and we see them all the time

Okay so I got a check from Reward Headquarters for $3859.42!
It was a scam. Thank God for the VP in Columbus OH, i didn't cash it but if I had I'd be in trouble. So check it out first!

My 83 yr old dad got a check in the mail last week for $4800.00.  The letter said to call a number before cashing.  He tore up all the  mail before I could see it.  The check sure looks legit but he doesn't use a credit card for anything!  Thank God he was leery about it and didn't cash it.  I sure hope other Sr Citizens aren't taken across with this fishy-sounding scam.  The check is drawn on a Chase bank & the address is Reward Headquarters, 1301 N Drive Highway, Fenton, MO  63099.

I just recieved a check in the amount of $4800 from this same company. I called the number on the letter and the guy told me to cash the check then call him back after cashing the check  so that I could recieve a larger check in the amount of $450,000. Is this real or not. Why do I need to cash the check first before I can get some real answers?

BECAUSE THE CHECK IS COUNTERFEIT!  the point is to STEAL YOUR MONEY.

While the angles used by scam artists may vary, the basics of the counterfeit check scam remain the same.

The consumer receives a generous check with an explanation that he or she has just won an award, a prize, a lottery or some other windfall.

The consumer is instructed to deposit the check and wire a portion back to pay fees, taxes or the like. The consumer deposits the check, the bank credits the funds to the consumer’s account and the consumer wires the money to the sender.

Some time later, both the bank and the consumer learn the check was bogus. Unfortunately, the consumer is out of luck: The money that was wired can’t be retrieved and, by law, the consumer is responsible for the deposited check—even though he or she didn’t know it was fake.





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.

Giving The Bounce To Counterfeit Check Scams
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/articles/naps29.pdf

NAPS)—A new scam is swindling consumers: checks that seem legitimate to both bank employees and consumers, but that are counterfeit and leave unsuspecting consumers footingthe bill.

The Federal Trade Commission has a new brochure, “Giving the Bounce to Counterfeit Check Scams,” which explains common angles used in these scams, the responsibilities of banks and consumers when it comes to counterfeit checks, and advice on how to avoid them.

While the angles used by scam artists may vary, the basics of the counterfeit check scam remain the same.

The consumer receives a generous check with an explanation that he or she has just won an award, a prize, a lottery or some other windfall.

The consumer is instructed to deposit the check and wire a portion back to pay fees, taxes or the like. The consumer deposits the check, the bank credits the funds to the consumer’s account and the consumer wires the money to the sender.

Some time later, both the bank and the consumer learn the check was bogus. Unfortunately, the consumer is out of luck: The money that was wired can’t be retrieved and, by law, the consumer is responsible for the deposited check—even though he or she didn’t know it was fake.

The FTC advises consumers not to rely on funds from checks unless they know and trust the person who gave them the checkor, better yet, until the bank confirms that the check has cleared.

Other tips:

• Throw away any offer that asks you to pay for a prize or a
gift. If it’s free or a gift, you shouldn’t pay for it.

• Resist the urge to enter foreign lotteries. It’s illegal to play a foreign lottery through the mail or the telephone, and most foreign lottery solicitations are phony.

• Know who you’re dealing with and never wire money to strangers.

• If you’re selling something, don’t accept a check for more than the selling price, no matter how tempting the offer or how convincingthe story. Ask the buyer to write the check for the correct amount. If the buyer refuses to send the correct amount, return the check. Don’t send the merchandise.

• If you accept payment by check, ask for a check drawn on a local bank or a bank with a local branch. That way, you can make a personal visit to make sure the check is valid.

• If the buyer insists that you wire back funds, end the transaction immediately.

• Resist any pressure to “act now.” If the buyer’s offer is good now, it should be good after the check clears.

To file a complaint and for more information, visit www.ftc.gov.

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 am sure that I received a check very similar to yours. I received one for 4,800 Dollars from a Apex Financial, claiming I am a 2nd place winner in a contest. I am always filling out stupid things on the internet and trying to win stuff... I called Chase, not listed anywhere on the check I was given or on the letter that came with it, I have my car financed through them so I called the number on my car payment invoice and got transfered to an agent that deals with accounts.  She looked up the check, said yes it is a check then transfered me to someone higher up and they confirmed it IS a real check from a real account.  The manager said to look into it a little further with my local law enforcement to check for scams ect... even though yes, it is a cashable check.  So I have not done this yet... but am going to be calling law enforcement here to check on this check.

I got the same check! Same amount!  I am still looking into this check.. and will take as high as it needs to go to make is public that it is a scam if it is a scam. The letter that came along with the check stated it was to pay taxes on a much larger amount I had won as a 2nd prize winner.

I also received a check from Apex Financial for $4800.00 claiming I was a 2nd prize winner. I called the number on the letter, no answer. The number is 10788-859-5647. I beleive this is a scam.

Same thing I got. And same Number minus the 0 after the 1. Lol.  Anyway when I called a man answered with a canadian accent (since that is the area of north america we are calling) I got an answer right away they are only open until 6 pm, eastern or mountain ect... I don't know.  Any way I got an answer and the man told me to do exacty what the letter already instructed me to do.  I have called and confirmed this check and the account with Chase 2 times yesterday evening.  I am going to be confirming details with my local law enforcement also before doing anything with this check.

I received a check in the mail on 8/12 with a letter and phone to call.  I called and spoke with a Josh Mathias but the number was 1-778-858-1636 to claim my prize.  The check was in the amount of $3859.42 but it was for to pay the taxes in the amount of $2989.00 to get  the larger amount that was suppose to be delivered to me by courier with in 24-48 hours and the amount was $129,000.00.  He gave me the name of the person I was suppose to wire the $2989.00 to.  It was from a contest by me filling out some form through Wal-mart, Target, Krogers where ever I shop.  Well I deposited the check and lucky for me my bank held the check for 11 days before I could cash it.  They found out the check was a fake so they took it back out of my acct. this is not fare for these people to keep doing this isn't it something someone can do.  Times are hard enough and for something like this to happen will break a person down.  I was really hoping it was for real I had plans for that money, and I know I'm not the only one that feel that way.

I recived the same check 3,859.42 and called the JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A Columbs,OH and was told the check was good take it to the bank, I did thank GOD i dident cash it i deoposit the check it came back Endorsement Cancelled 8/12/2010