Macedon, N.Y. - The letter Betty Rease received in the mail Tuesday looked like great news, but the savvy 87 year-old knew better than to believe what it said.
The letterhead stated it was from a company in Los Angeles, California and it went on to congratulate her for being the “2nd prize winner in the second category of the USA Mega (Under the International Sweepstake.)”
The problem?
“Well I hadn't been in any sweepstakes!” Rease laughed.
The letter contained quite a few obvious signs that pointed to it being a scam. Spelling and punctuation errors were obvious throughout the page and so was the unusual presentation of a phone number. But a recipient might hope it was true considering what appears to be a very real check was also included.
"It was a check for $4,685," Rease said as she held it up.
The letter asked Rease to cash the check and mail back $3,900 for a “Processing Fee” at which time Rease can expect to receive a “Certified Check which will be delivered by our special courier company.”
"I think it's wicked,” Rease said of the scam. “Especially elderly people, a lot of us are gullible and we might right away believe this.”
