Consumer Protection |
Lottery Fraud Alert
Counterfeit Checks Arrive with Fraudulent Letters
AXA Equitable has become aware of mailed letters notifying recipients of being awarded large sums of money through their participation in a Reader’s Digest Sweepstakes.
The letter is titled “FROM: THE DESK OF MANAGING DIRECTOR OF PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT “WITHOUT PREJUDICE.” The winning prize indicated in letters that we have seen is $242,000. These letters appear to be mailed from Canada, and therefore, the Canadian authorities have been notified.
Enclosed with the letter is a counterfeit “MONY an AXA Financial Check” check for $4,300.00, “made available for you to pay premium insurance charges on your winnings, and it would be deducted from when your winnings are release [sic] to you.” This is a COUNTERFEIT check. Do not attempt to cash or deposit this check.
All recipients are being asked to send the original cover letter, check and envelope to AXA Equitable, Investigations Unit, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, MD 14-11, New York, NY 10104. Neither AXA nor any of its subsidiary companies sponsors or supports any prize contests that resemble the letter referred to above.
