Winnebago County authorities are warning of another scam making the rounds in east-central Wisconsin, this one having to do with sweepstakes winnings.
One local resident turned over documents that lead the recipient to believe that they’ve won a sweepstakes worth millions of dollars. All that’s needed to claim the prize is to respond to the letters from the Department of the Treasury, the IRS or other government agency, printed on official-looking letterhead and arriving in the US Mail, asking for tax payment up-front. Others receive a text, phone call or email, all made to seem official and all seeking payments.
Courtesy of the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office
Of course, things don’t work that way – but this does seem official and people have been tricked into giving up thousands of dollars as a result.
The Winnebago County Sheriff reminds people that you can’t win a lottery you never entered, and just like law enforcement, no legitimate lottery ever asks winners to pay fees up-front. And so if you receive any of these, know that it’s not really your lucky day. And if you follow through, it could get very, very unlucky.
Comments