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Mr. Alex Rogers called me (twice; I hung up the first time)

Hi. Mr. Alex Rogers...

Hi. Mr. Alex Rogers called me (twice; I hung up the first time) claiming to be from The American Cash Awards. Mr. Rogers said I had won $14 million + a new Mercedes S-Class (dark purple) + a kitchen makeover (new refrigerator, new dishwasher, new microwave, a booklet with a choice of tiles) + a Walmart shopping card loaded with $2,000 that could be re-loaded anytime. He said that American Cash Awards' main branch is in Washington, DC, with "offshore" branches in Hunting, PA + Carversville, PA + Maryland. Both times he called, the number listed was shown as originating in Illinois (area codes 309 and 224). He said that he would like to come to my address (he had this information) tomorrow along with Mrs. Susan (CEO), Mrs. Goldstein, Mr. Navin (spelling?), US Marshals and State Troopers. He said he would call me back this afternoon to sort out some details (tax? bank account?). He gave me a Briefcase Code Number and a Personal ID Number. He left me his telephone number to call him back; the area code is 520, which seems to be in Tuscon, AZ. He has not asked me for bank account or credit card information yet. Could this be legit?

Lawyer's Assistant: What state is this in? And when did the issue begin?

I am a PA resident. The calls started today around 3:00 PM Eastern time. I asked him what triggered our good fortune. He said we were chosen at random about a month ago because we used a VISA card while shopping at that time.

Lawyer's Assistant: Have you contacted the seller or manufacturer?

I neglected to ask him what store or seller we had purchased from.

Lawyer's Assistant: Anything else you want the Lawyer to know before I connect you?

Or for the VISA number he used. Is this a free consultation?

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Ask Your Own Consumer Protection Law Question

Answered in 1 minute by:

6/1/2020

Consumer Protection Lawyer: Loren, Lawyer replied 2 years ago

Loren, Lawyer

Category: Consumer Protection Law

Satisfied Customers: 58,612

Experience: 30 years experience in general legal matters.

Verified

Thank you for using JA. I am Loren, a licensed attorney for over 35 yrs and a certified expert on JustAnswer since 2009.

What does he want from you to claim the prize?

Customer reply replied 2 years ago

Hi Loren. Nice to meet you and thank you for your guidance. On our one call this afternoon, he did not ask me for anything yet to claim the prize. He said he would call me back in a couple hours after he has processed some paperwork, and mentioned that as soon as something about taxes or bank account information was defined and set up, that the prize could be delivered. He said the winnings were already waiting to be disbursed as soon as tomorrow.

Consumer Protection Lawyer: Loren, Lawyer replied 2 years ago

STOP! Do not send them any money, cash cards or gift cards. Do not provide them your personal information either.

Do not even return the call.

I am sorry to hear of your dilemma. I realize how frustrating this is for you and I hope to provide you information which is accurate and useful, even though it may not be the news you were hoping to get. I just ask that you not shoot the messenger.

As you know, something which is too good to be true is, generally, not. Also, I am sure you suspect this is one of those times. Unfortunately, I am absolutely sure that there is no prize waiting for you from these people.

This is positively a scam. It is known as an "Advance Fee Scam" and you are in the initial stage. If you call them they will tell you that in order to pay out the winnings you will need to first pay them a fee for insurance, or registration, or taxes, or courier, etc... The request for fees will keep coming until they get as much money as they can from you.

Just remember:

1. You can not win a sweepstakes or lottery you did not enter.

2. No legitimate sweepstakes asks winners to pay upfront to release the winnings.

3. If they were genuinely holding money belonging to you should be able to tell them to just deduct the taxes, insurance, courier fee (all red flags, by the way) and send you a net check.

Do not send any money or otherwise respond. They are trying to steal from you.

Here is an online warning from the FTC:

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0199-prize-scams

I am sorry. I wish I could tell you otherwise, but I do not want you to be victimized by these thieves.

You can report this to the FBI at www.IC3.gov.

Please let me know if I have answered your question satisfactorily by stating "THANK YOU" or "ACCEPTED". Thank you.

Customer reply replied 2 years ago

THANK YOU

Consumer Protection Lawyer: Loren, Lawyer replied 2 years ago

You are very welcome and best of luck.

Please remember to click 5 stars in the rating section on this page and “Submit” (at the top of your page). It is the only way JA registers your rating and credits me for assisting you.

See informational link on how to rate: https://www.justanswer.com/help/how-do-i-rate-answer

Thanks.

Loren, Lawyer

Category: Consumer Protection Law

Satisfied Customers: 58,612

Experience: 30 years experience in general legal matters.

Verified

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