Wallingford, CT - August 4, 2011 – A scam lottery is targeting consumers with callers using Better Business Bureau’s name as part of the ruse. Better Business Bureau serving the Denver and Boulder Colorado areas has received several calls from people targeted in such scams.
These scams often originate out of Jamaica as the phone numbers being called from start with a Jamaican area code, 876. Consumers tell BBB that the scammers say they are calling on behalf of BBB and that they have won millions of dollars in prizes. The scammer then instructs them to send as much as $350, supposedly to cover taxes or fees and promises the winnings will be wired as soon as the wired money is received. Other consumers have been asked to send money by mail or arrange to have the caller send a courier to pick up the fees.
Connecticut Better Business Bureau reminds consumers that it is illegal for anyone to require any upfront money or purchase in order to claim a sweepstakes prize, and that anyone who says BBB is offering lottery prizes are scammers.
If you receive a similar call, do not give out any personal information whatsoever to the caller. Instead, get as much information as possible from the scammer then hang up and report it to BBB at (203) 269-2700, and the U.S. Postal Inspector online at
http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors or by telephone at (877) 876-2455
More information on protecting yourself from unscrupulous practices can be found at
http://www.bbb.org/us/scam-source/.
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Founded in 1928, Connecticut BBB is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. BBB offers objective advice and a wide range of education on topics affecting marketplace trust.
BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses. Today, 128 BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating and monitoring more than three million local and national businesses and charities. For more advice on finding companies and businesses, start your search with trust at www.bbb.org/.
