Beware of scam sweepstakes

I must be on umpteen sucker’s lists. I keep getting all sorts of offers certain to win magnificent amounts of money or wonderful buys for expensive high-market items at low, low prices.

Look at what arrived in the mail today, several $400 checks (credit vouchers), each one good on the purchase of computers, camcorders, diamond watches, a big stereo system and some other stuff, saving $400 off the price of each.

How wonderful! Or is it too wonderful to be true?

We looked the company up on the Internet and found problems and dissatisfaction with their offers. The Better Business Bureau did not have good reports on them either.

Sweepstakes letters had only postal box addresses without listing a business name or full street address.

Enticements printed on the outside of their envelopes said, for example:

“PRIZE CHECK ISSUED

CONFIRMED CASH PRIZE WINNER

PRIZE DATA RELEASE

AWARD PAYMENT

IMMEDIATE CASH DISBURSAL

OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION

LAST DAY TO RESPOND

REQUIRES IMMEDIATE RESPONSE

TIME SENSITIVE COMMUNICATION

OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS ENCLOSED

SWEEPSTAKES CLEARINGHOUSE

LOCATE TO DELIVER”

Inside, this one says that I have an I.D. number identified and verified report available “in the amount of: $1,250,000.00, ONE MILLION TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS * * *.”

All I need to do is fill out, sign and send in their “delivery document” with an “office fee of just $19.99” and “… delivery to You will be prompt.”

Well, WHOOPEE!

Each promises to make me rich only I’ve heard nothing about the companies so I don’t play sucker to any of them, nor should anyone else.

Inside all of the offers were “promises” making winning seem a certainty. They are hoping that gullible people will take their bait and send them money.

There are legitimate sweepstakes, of course. They are part of the advertising budget of some businesses with their full names and addresses prominently displayed for customers to see.

If you don’t know the business, ignore their sweepstakes offers.