upfront fee to collect sweepstakes winnings
Complaint
Nina Reid
Country: United States
This man has called me three times. I have told him I beleive him to be a fraud and he insists I call these numbers to verify he is legit. I looked the numbers up and they are jamaica phone numbers. 876-799-9532 he says is a number to reach him and he is working for FedEx. He also claims to be affiliated in this sweepstakes with bank of America and the number to verify them is 876-457-0447. Obviously I didnt call either and Im not giving him any money either but what do I do with him when he calls back. He claims to be Mark Anderson but sounds like he comes from where they dont name their babies Mark nor have any sir names of Anderson either.
Comments
Collectively, they are known as "809 phone scams", but they may involve calls to other area codes as well. Note that FTC specifically mentions "876" (Jamaica) as one of the area codes associated with these scams. You get stung for international phone charges at high rates, and also possibly "pay per minute" 900 or 976-like charges.
Here is the FTC warning on them:
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/809.html
"When you dial the “809”, “284”, “876” (or other three-digit) area code plus the number, however, you’re actually connected to a phone number outside the United States, often in Canada or the Caribbean, and charged international call rates. (In this case, “809” goes to the Dominican Republic, “284” goes to the British Virgin Islands, and “876” goes to Jamaica.) "
File a complaint with the FTC on their on-line site, including all the details of the scam and the phone numbers they used. Also make a report under both numbers on www.whocalled.us, so that others who might get similar calls can find it. You might also file a BBB report for similar reasons.
If he calls back, just hang up. The more you talk, the more he thinks he can con you.
I EVEN WROTE ON BOTh BOXES VERY CLEARLY & SAID "PLEASE DON'T SEND ANY MAIL OR PACKAGES TO THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS!!!"
MONA SOBIESKI
P.O.BOX 7932
JACKSON HOLE,WY 83002
& THEY SENT ONE MORE MEDIUM SIZED PACKAGE!!! WHICH WILL BE SENT BACK TO
PCH IN TOMORROW'S MONDAY MAIL 04-06-09!!!!
"PUBLISHER's PLEASE STOP MAILING ME & SENDING ME E-MAIL MESSAGES!!!"
I MS. MONA SOBIESKI HAS AN OFFICIALL ATTORNEY AT LAW & LAWYER
WHO HAS BEEN MY DAD NOW FOR APPROXITMATELY 41 YEARS OF MY LIFE TIME!!!
& FOR YOUR GENERAL INFO LETS GET THIS CHRYSTAL CLEAR
#1=THIS IS THE OFFICIALL UNITED STATES OF AMERICA POSTAL SERVICE OFFICE
GEO LOCALE=JACKSON HOLE,WY 83002
#2=THIS IS WHERE MY POST OFFICE MAIL BOX HAS BEEN LOCATED
NOW FOR APPROXITMATELY 4 YEARS & 4 MONTHS & 6 DAYS!!!
#3=MY MAIL ADDRESS IS WHERE I MONA SOBIESKi OFFICIALLY
RECIEVES MAIL & SENDS MAIL & RECIEVES & SENDS PACKAGES ONLY!!!
#4=I MONA SOBIESKI PURCHASES STAMPS HERE AT THE NEW JH POST OFFICE
FOR YOUR GENERAL INFO
I MONA SOBIESKI OFFICIALLY LIVES WITHIN WALKING & DRIVING DISTANCE TO
THE NEW JACKSON HOLE WY USA POSTAL SERVICE OFFICE!!!
IT IS NOT MY HOUSE OR MY CASTLE!!!
& I MONA SOBIESKI DOES NOT LIVE OFFICIALLY AT MY POST OFFICE BOX!!!
THERE IS A HUGE & MAJOR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A POST OFFICE & A HOUSE!!!
THE DIFFERENCE IS==>TWO TOTALLY DIFFERENT BUILDING SHAPES & SIZES & USES!!
I was asked to buy items which I did some. Then I started receiving mail from American Sweepstakes Publishers out of
Kansas City. They want a fee of $12.00 for each mailing I receive.
I did it a few times. Right now in front of me I have seven different forms in one day.
I refuse to pay out one more cent. I certainly do not recall ever years ago getting all this phony mail. Each letter tells you that your winnings could be one million dollars.
Please be aware of the scammers, they sound so convincing. DON'T be fooled, hang up the phone.
M