Lottery SCAMs...and how to avoid them!

“FORM CCR103 CWA 052011

“PERSONAL ENTRY CLAIM FORM AND FREE CHANCES TO WIN FOR IDENTIFIED ADDRESSEE

“...First_Name Last_Name, let me introduce myself, my name is Joyce Johnson and I have been authorized to send you 12 FREE CHANCES TO WIN a Contour® Classic Adjustable Bed!

“Who doesn’t love a deep, restful night’s sleep? And who wouldn’t want to win a FREE state-of-the-art bed?

“Here’s your chance - in fact, you have 12 Chances to WIN a FREE Contour® Classic Adjustable Bed. There’s absolutely no cost or purchase necessary to enter our FREE Contour® Win-A-Bed Sweepstakes. For the next twelve months, we’re simply awarding one free bed to one customer every month... and one of those lucky winners could be YOU!...”

“...would you like to be the biggest lottery winner of 2010 with a 10 million jackpot?

“INTERNATIONAL SCOOP: the biggest lottery winner... New Record: 586 million; see the report below...

“Up until now, John Harrison has won more than 586 million over the last 40 years with 87 jackpots to his name! Now, at the age of 97, John Harrison has bequeathed all his fortune to charity... However, before he dies John Harrison has decided to entrust the fabulous secret that has made him the biggest winner of all time to one person only.

“...John Harrison has chosen you as the only heir to his fabulous fortune and money secret to win several jackpots and hundreds of millions!...”

“Your Life Path

“...The total of the day, month and year of your birth is called by numerologists the Life Path, Life Lesson, Birth Path, Birth Force or, sometimes, the Destiny number. This number is chosen by nature rather than by you or your parents, and it reflects the season and historical era of your birth. As its names suggest, it shows your mission in life, your life work and what the universe intends for you. It shows the opportunities you must seize in order to make the most of your potential. Following the life path that has been given to you will enable you to avoid continual discord and frustration, and to unfold in the way that is best for your nature. When you find your true place in the world, you will feel at home.

“Your birthdate total is 6.

“Your Life Path of 6 means that your destiny is to serve and to be responsible for the welfare of others. Be it the home, the family or a work situation, your task is to lead the group and make it unified and productive. You’ll be involved with nurturing weaker persons, and you must learn to put the welfare of the group before your own interests. Aspire to be the benign parent figure, a source of guidance and strength. Marriage is ideal for you...”

“...In an advance screening of lottery players in the USA, you have been named as a possible candidate for the Top Prize of $12,000,000.00. This is an important milestone for you.

“Please do not ignore this notice of your recent designation! If you do not act now you may not win that Top Prize -- and that could cost you a great deal of money.

“The MBA has already taken the liberty of determining the numbers within the winning range for the up and coming Mega Millions Lottery draws. Some of those numbers were printed on the inclosed Winning Numbers Statement -- but I had to cover them over...”

“CONGRATULATIONS

“You have won a prize in our sweepstakes.

“...My name is Mary Walsh and I am a member of the Sweepstakes Award Committee. It is part of my job to help award the prizes that will be given away in the Lucky Streak Sweepstakes.

“The reason I am writing to you today is that our records indicate that you are one of our winners in the Lucky Streak Sweepstakes from Your_State.

“Arrangements have already been made to deliver your prize to Your_address. But in order to release it, we need to hear from you right away...”

“As we get closer to the holiday season, particularly the celebration of Thanksgiving, I want to invite you to participate in our THANKSGIVING SWEEPSTAKES DRAWING.

“Many of our friends have participated and tell us that extra spending money at this time of year is very helpful. The Grand Prize is $2,500, so I urge you to return your tickets right away in order to qualify for the Grand Prize Drawing on November 19 with an “Early Bird” drawing on November 14.

“You do not have to send a gift in order to qualify, but I hope that you will...”

“ELIGIBILITY ADVISORY

“AND DOCUMENT RELEASE

“...PLEASE READ THE LETTER BELOW IN FULL, AS YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION IS REQUESTED.

“Note: your reply is verification that your Identity Record (per name and address as shown herein) is correct and shall be enacted upon by our administrative offices upon our prompt receipt of the completed Document Request Voucher (Form 8250) enclosed with this correspondence. For further reference your I.D. Number is 51060695.

“...please respond without delay! S.A.A. conducts research, data procurement and analysis, that provides our newsletter subscribers independent access to entry details and their eligibility for known CASH and PRIZE win opportunities...”

“DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU!

“...Upon learning that last months winner threw away $10.000.00 simply by failing to respond. I was astounded surprised and shocked that the person holding the WINNING NUMBER failed to collect their winnings.

“When you think about how easy it is to reply (all you need is a stamp), I really can’t understand why anyone (and I mean you) would pass up a chance to win $10,000.00. *** TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS!!! ***

“PLEASE FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS BELOW...”