Reader's Digest Scam-71st Lotto-Ontario,Canada

The "CATCH" to this thing is that by replying with you rpink slips your are agreeing to recieve a subscription to Reader's Digest that you will be billed ofr but can cancel any time. These marketing organisations like Reader's Digest Associtation (Canada) Limited know that a certain percentage of folks will keep theri subcriptions and thus the cost of the campaign and prizes, if any are awarded and accpeted (keep in mind, one can be awarded to someone's number who dod not reply, thus no prize) are recouped and a profit is made. Also remember, they know that a certain percentage of folks will keep a subscription for many years, thus much revenue and profit. I have no problem with profit, but I find this practice a little deceptive and if any product or service can't be sold on it merits or benefits to the buyer then they are probabaly of little or no value.

I RECIEVED A LETTER SAYING THAT I WAS A 2 ND PRIZE WINNER,THROUGH THE NATIONAL SWEEPSTAKES BUREAU AFFILIATED WITH READERS DIGEST,NATIONAL PUBLISHERS CLEARING HOUSE,JACKPOT MAGAZINE,S&A INCENTIVES,AND MAGAZINE PUBLISHERS OF AMERICA.
THE LETTER CONTAINED THERE PHONE NO. AND A REF # THE AMOUNT IS 50,000 BUCKS,THE THING IS THAT THEY ALSO SENT A CHECK FOR ALMOST 3,000 TO COVER COST TO GET THE PRIZE MONEY,I CALLED THE # ON THE LETTER,AND A GENTLEMEN ANSWERED ,I TOLD HIM WHAT I GOT,DIDN'T SEEM THAT HIS ATTITUDE WAS NOT VERY GOOD TOWARDS SOMEONE WHO POTENTIALLY HAD WON A LARGE SUM OF MONEY,ANYWAY I CALL AND HE DIRECTED ME TO GO TO THE BANK ,CASH THE CHECK GET A I BELIEVE HE SAID EITHER A CASHIERS CHECK OR JUST CASH THAT I WOULD BE GIVING IT TO THE UPS GUY AFTER I CALL HIM BACK TO LET HIM KNOW THAT I GOT THE MONEY READY,ANYWAY THIER ADDRESS IS IN OTTAWA ONTARIO,CANADA,JUST FOR THE PIECE OF MIND,I FEEL THIS IS A SCAM BUT,I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY IF MY SENCES ARE CORRECT.

[Frazzle]

You are right. It is a scam.

Why would someone send you $3000 so you could claim $50000? A sensible lottery would deduct the $3000 from the $50000 and send you the rest. Actually, if you think about it, $3000 is a ridiculously high amount to process a claim.

What you actually have is a fake check which the scammer is asking you to cash for him. Even if you do cash it without getting arrested, you won't ever get the $50,000 because it doesn't exist.

If you post his phone number and other details here, then people will be able to find it via Google and avoid getting ripped off.

[Nyla]

Originally Posted by JOEJO330

THEY ALSO SENT A CHECK FOR ALMOST 3,000 TO COVER COST TO GET THE PRIZE MONEY

Just to add to Frazzle's answer, that is your definite clue that it's a scam. There should be NO cost whatsoever involved in claiming a prize of ANY kind (lottery or sweepstakes) in North America. If a company were to ask you to pay any sort of cost, it would be violating the advance fee laws.

I have 71 sweepstakes in my hand,i havn't reply to them
bacause i dont know the deadline there was litter mation deadline but i lost
any way can some one have any idea about the deadline

thank you

My wife alsoe received similar material. After I did some research, I found their tricks.

They give your one envelope, with "YES REPLY ENVOLEPE"

On the back of envelope, there are some words with very small size.

"Yes, I have enclosed my Sheet of "Cheques". Please gurantee.......................
I understand there is no risk---that if i decide i don't want to subscribe. ................"


In fact, if you reply this letter, then they suppose you already agree to subscribe their poor magazine for ever, only after you unsubscribe it. As far a I know, it's very inconvenient and time-consuming to unsubscribe it. Trust me.

Except this small tricky, i dont think there exists other tricks.

Good luck

Are you referring to Readers Digest, or something else?

Readers Digest is known the world over and whilst their "marketing" may be subject to some anomalies, they are not AFAIK breaking any laws.

We tend not to deal with POSTAL MAIL junk here, because we are an INTERNET fraud information site.

Treat junk/unwanted postal mail with the contempt it deserves and simply throw it in the trash/recycle bin if it holds no interest to you. However, just like email junk, if you reply, you get more... simple.

Fortunately, the CMA (Canadian Marketing Association) has a Do Not Contact available for free! This service enables individuals to reduce the amount of bulk marketing, or mass mailings they receive! Check it out at http://www.the-cma.org/?WCE=C=47|K=224217

Spread the word everybody!

[REAM]

I registered for the Reader's Digest 20 years ago for that $1m winning. Besides receiving the month picket book, I would receive the additional pamphlets to buy more books that could lead me to big one. Right there and then, I knew I was wasting my time and money.

Then 13 years ago, my father went into this lottery. One day, he told me that my mother won a prize about seven days later after she died. Unfortunately, Reader's Digest said they do not give the winning prize to their spouses, even if the winner has just passed away.

Any way, as time goes on, my father would tell me that something big from Reader's Digest every month or so. But when that time came for receiving that valuable document, he would be so upset and treatment me like dirt. Personally, I did not appreciate it.

Well my father has just passed away two weeks ago, still not winning the big prize. But when I visited him at the hospital during those 4 weeks, he was persistent on what RD products I brought in for him or he would ask me did he win anything yet. Again, sorry Dad! I could see it that he was a little upset; but he had high hopes; however, I kept biting my lip in keeping quiet.

Last week, my wife and I started de-cluttering his house. much to my surprise, he bought so many books (some twice/thrice over) , CD's and DVD's.
Now they will be sold at the garage sale or to a dropoff centre.

Honestly, it was not worth it. With all that money he put into it, he could have easily paid off his reverse mortgage. If I were him, I would spent, on occasion, a Keno ticket down the street. I hear chances of winning those are far better than winning from Reader's Digest.

Sincerely,

Toronto, ON
Canada

I received the same letter but the attached verification of funds photocopy mentions TD Canada Trust as being the funds holder for the Reader's Digest Prize. The cover letter mentions they are sending me a number to be returned within 21 days. More junk for the trash bin.
I am wishing the Government would pass legislation to put a stop to all these junk mail and telemarketing schemes designed to reel in the suckers. Not likely though as the Governemt is in the same business with their lotteries.

[Curious Nelly]

See also, post at
http://www.fraudwatchers.org/forums/...ad.php?t=14466
http://www.fraudwatchers.org/forums/...ad.php?t=14494

I also received a 72nd national sweepstakes letter from reader's digest. I was wondering how they got my information considering i am not a RD subscriber and never have been. Are any of the people who recieved this email TransGlobe residents??

Originally Posted by sweepstakes

I was wondering how they got my information considering i am not a RD subscriber and never have been.

Is your name and address in the telephone directory in Canada? Mailing lists are bought and sold as part of normal marketing. For RD, you would be better asking them directly, as there's no way anyone out here will be able to answer the question you have raised.

we receive continues entries from Karen Burgess. They just want you to buy products because if you read them carefully the bonus offer you are not eligible unless you buy on of their many offers. But for the main sweepstakes you are not required any purchases. I think theres no harm in entering the draws, unless they require you to pay something. Now if you truly want the 50 music cd's, the homemade cookbook and/or the home remedies book, well then that up to you. I would rather go to the book store instead receiving hard to cancel subscription.
Thanks.
ps. would be nice to win thought.

Those sweepstakes are, in my opinion, a carrot-and-stick deal. First you're told you won, then you read the fine print and you discover that you haven't actually won a prize but an entry into the contest, then you find out that in order to participate in the contest you need to buy something...

Ow, I just got dizzy.

I think it all boils down to one thing - if you receive an offer like that, read the fine print. It's most likely somewhere there, in a font that cannot be read without a magnifying glass, and it contains all the most important information about the piece of mail you received.

In this regard, those offers are often not much different from contracts. First rule of common sense - before you sign a contract, read it all and make sure you understand what you're signing. Same applies here. Read, inform yourself, ask questions, don't commit to anything until everything's been explained loud and clear.

We received the mail for the car prize, these guys are shameless. You are supposed the slide the special card in from of three different cars and what do you know?, theres a red arrow over the $40,000.00 car. They are shameless but it is very funny. My wife and i laughed especially when we read the part about needing to give your friend a free year of readers digest in order to be entered for the car. My wife and I love the wording on these letters, not to mention the promotions. First we were valued customers, later mvp and now vips. Ha ha ha. They try to make you feel like soooooo special. I feel bad for the people who end up buying a ton of stuff just because they feel like this is their chance at having all this money. I keep playing along not buying but look, we are now VIP's . Don't fall for the little tricks people these just want you to buy a things. You are supposed to have the same chances even if you don't buy.
Thank you
Ps. If we should happen to win i will get a readers digest tat.

I too recive these and send them back. My first boyfriend from over 20 years ago, well his mom entered every free contest there is and hung on to the end, and almost allways won if she kept up.

She won a truck, a car, vacations, money, tons of little goodies......once you know it IS legit, it is not a scam if someone actually DOES win, it is just a wait and wait to see if you win, or some other lucky person, but if someone wins, then it is not a scam.

mellisamouse.

[divalee]

I got the same letter exactly. I never fall for these things but I tought Reader's Digest was a reputable company so I fell for it.......Igot mine just about a month or so ago......Oh yes and I "know" if you do not register to buy Reader's Digest for the whole year.....your "NO" envelope will be discarded.......any one with some sense would know this.....The did say that I can cancel any time.....and then you know what that means....you are out of the contest.....even though they will adamantly deny this.

Lee

Originally Posted by stormigrl

I received this in my mail and I'm dumbfounded out about it.
Not only was Reader's Digest able to know both my last names, but they also knew that I did banking with a certain bank I was first claimed Identity theft on. And they knew my address correctly and I don't have anything registered with or subscribed to Reader's Digest. I have nothing with them.

I'm sure its a scam. I can't think of anything else about it. I never wrote to Reader's Digest regarding anything nor did I tell them both my last names.
I've been a victim of identity theft before but this is crazy!

Letter starts off like this:
---------------------------------------------------------------------

The Reader's Digest Association (Canada) Limited (ALL IN BOLD) + Address

Your name and address Tracking Ref: 000
DEADLINE COMPLIANT


NOTICE OF SELECTION FOR (YOUR NAME) POTENTIAL FINALIST TO WIN AN INSTANT $500,000.00 IN THE THIRD AND LAST STAGE OF THE 71st NATIONAL SWEEPSTAKES.

To: YOUR NAME,

When people receive a Prize Draw invitation-just like the one on its way to you now- the often decide to throw it away, just thinking "no one ever really wins." And it is a fact that if you receive Prize Draw numbers, but choose to ignore them, you will NEVER have the good luck to win ANYTHING in our Draws.

Every day, people like you, with real chances to win thousands of dollars, decide not to believe in their Prize Draw numbers, and let a guaranteed chance of winning a valuable cash prize slip away- simply because THEY DON'T OPEN OR RETURN THEIR PRIZE DRAW DOCUMENTS.

Some people, like Mrs. Abbatt of Notre-Dame-de-Grace, Quebec, let their Prize Draw numbers sit on a mantlepiece or in a kitchen drawer until time runs out... a mistake that cost her $32,500.001 (I've changed her details to preserve her anonymity and to spare her the embarressment.)

If you've heard of our Grand Prize draw in the media lately you may be surprised to know that in our whole of the Ontario area, only 4% of the households have been selected to receive our fabulous

While many of your neighbours will look to their mail in vain, you have already been fortunate enought to clear two of the three stages that there are to becoming a winner in our Sweepstakes. Our computer selected those of Ontario who should take part, when it came to (Your city), not only did (your Road or Street) represented, but it picked the (YOUR NAME) household.

Now that the Prize Draw numbers have been issued, it can be confirmed that you are the only person in the whole of Canada who will receive the six numbers allocated on your forthcoming Statement of Account. If your luck holds and any of the those numbers go on to be drawn as a winner, you'd have sole claim on ALL THE MONEY OF THE PRIZE YOU'D WON: and that would be a cash amount worth UP TO HALF A MILLION DOLLARS. (The enclosed copy of a letter from our Finance Director to me declares that we are prepared to disburse prize funds for payment of any prize you may win.)
But I have to remind you: for that to happen, YOUR NUMBER MUST BE RETURNED.

That Statement is on its way to you now. It confirms your Final Stage entries, the amount(s) you could win and it requests your immediate response. It is vitally important that you reply without delay as with that Statement will come documents that guarantee access to VIP priviledges- priviledges you can claim immediately.

* You could win HALF A MILLION DOLLARS...
* You could win up to $155,00.00 in ADDITIONAL PRIZE FUNDS...
* AND you could WIN A BRAND-NEW CAR!

A prompt reply is essential for you to make the most of ALL the opportunities on their way to you. Reply by the entry close deadline stipulated and apart from any of the 1,009 prizes in the Draw, you'd also have the chance to find out how to verify if you've already wond a "Cash on Demand" prize of $33.750.00 CASH - just for an early reply.

Watch your mail over the next few days for your Statement of Account: it will arrive in a large manila envelope with a green tracking number seal marked "Ref. #000." If you fail to return your numbers you'll stand no chance of winning a prize; but if you send back AS SOON AS THEY ARRIVE, any of them could be a winner!

Now it's all up to you. We've brought you this far... but we can't send your numbers back for your. Why throw away the chance of thousands of dollars? IT MUST be in your best interests to return your numbers THE MOMENT THEY ARRIVE!

Good luck!

(Signed)
Marisa Orsini
Prize Award Administrator

PS. Don't lose out by not replying promptly - or worse still, by not reply at all.
We promise to pay in full any prize you may win, but we can do nothing if you don't return your numbers. Don't miss out - don't let your chances slip away- RETURN YOUR NUMBERS AS SOON AS THEY ARRIVE.

Note: If you do not receive your upcoming documents within 14 days please write to: Reader's Digest Customer Service PO Box 112628, Stn Centre-Ville, Montreal, QC H3C 5Y4, enclosing this letter and we'll ensure you don't miss out on this opportunity.

(Small print: Registered office: The Reader's Digest Association (Canada) Ltd, 1125 Stanley St, Montreal, QC H3B 5H5

(Enclosed was my photo Copy of a letter from A.Cioffi, Finance Director, National Headquarters. To M. Orsini.

Re: LL 0000

Dear M. Orsini,

Re: PRIZE DRAW FUNDS PAYOUT

As agreed, I am happy to confirm that a letter of guarantee issued by (Your Bank) on Behalf of Reader's Digest has been placed on reserve with the proper government authorities to cover payment of total prize funds to the winners of our 71st National Sweepstakes.

These funds are available for immediate release on instructions from myself and can be made payable to Prize Draw winners in the form that they prefer, by cheque, electronic transfer, or in cash my special arrangement with us.

The preparations made above would enable us to authorize the transfer of Reader's Digest prize funds including the Grand Prize sum of $500,000.00, from our corporate bank (YOUR BANK) in Montreal to the winner.

Yours sincerely,

(signed)

Finance, Reader's Digest

cc: K.Burgess, Controller

(ITS STAMPED COPY)
But on the back it tells you: OUR COMPUTER CAN ONLY DRAW NAMES FROM NUMBERS REGISTERED AS RETURNED- DON'T REJECT YOUR CHANCES TO WIN UP TO $500,000.00 -REPLY NOW

(also the personal gurantee is listed with the others who didn't respond in enough time)
------------------------------------------------------------------------


**I'm going to bring this to my bank and find out whether its legit or not, but I believe to it being a scam. As to how they got my first and last names correct its beyond me, because I don't order from Reader's Digest and this is the second time they sent me something like this and even the last time I didn't respond.**

Note: ALWAYS SAFE GUARD YOUR IDENTITY, IT'S THE NUMBER ONE TO YOU.

Reader's Digest on this letter had no phone # on it to contact them, nor did they have MY PHONE # on it PHEW!

Take Care of yourself always,
M.

P.S. Yes I will keep you updated on the outcome from the bank and other stuff I receive in my mail.

this is the biggest scam... in the last few months i have recieved 7 different letters stating that i had won... if added all up i would be a millionare. don't get sucked in!! just return to sender and forget about it. i don't know where they got my personal info from but i know i haven't entered any of the competitions i keep winning..

This posting is simply to confirm any questions anybody has regarding Readers Digest.
A friend of mine works with E Fund Raising which is an affiliate of Readers Digest, and has confirmed through a friend of hers that works at Readers Digest that the all the Sweepstakes are in fact legitimate. They get their info as stated in other posts from the banks.

I would also like to point out that according to this friend of a friend, hundreds of thousands of dollars go unclaimed every year (which is the reason some of the sweepstake prizes are so high) because many doubt the sweepstakes legitimacy.

So if your a doubter I hope this eases your mind and if not then thats ok, the more doubters there are, the better chance I have of winning.



Tanya