876-479-7387

Got a call from James Anderson.

After receiving a call from Michael Carboni at 876-474-6980 from Publisher's Clearing House Claims (supposedly), I sked for a number of their main office to confirm  my 'winnings'.  Was given tis number 876-479-7387 to call but he could give me no name to ask for ----- interesting. Same number listed in this scam report.

Mr. James Winter of the Better Business Bureau claimed to be holding an unclaimed Readers Digest check in my name for over $530,000. In an elaborate story, he gave me a package number and a claim number. He said that later that day, Heinz Miller, a UPS driver, accompanied by Priscilla Roger of the State Marshal's office would deliver the check to my home in a brown UPS truck.

All taxes were paid on this prize, except for a 1% federal tax. He asked me to wait while he had his computer calculate the tax. After whirring computer noises he told me that the tax would be $499. (Note that 1% of $530,000 is $5300.) To insure delivery of my check, I must immediately go to Western Union with ID and cash and send the $499 tax to a government accountant, Billy Reynolds at 4909 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL.

I asked for his number in case I had difficulty getting out because I was feeling quite I'll. He gave me 876-479-7387. He also gave me the number of his director-manager, 876-474-6980.

I did nothing that afternoon. The next day he called to say I could pay in an alternate way through Pay-Pal at a local Walgreens. He would give me details in a call the next day if I still could not get out.

He did call again. He asked if I knew who he was. His accented voice was unmistakable, and I answered, "Mr. Winter." He was sure of my interest by now and was nonplussed when I told him I had decided not to proceed with the transaction. "Why had I not informed him yesterday?" "I was still thinking about it." I guess Jamaican phone rates are a concern to the scammers, too.

These people seem to mine the Internet for older victims who can easily be fooled. Beware, some of us older folk are well educated, mentally alert, and can spot a scam at the first sentence.

As an additional note, I found 4909 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL. on Google maps. Using Street View, I could see clearly a sign on the building, "True Macedonia Bible Church, Bishop B. H. Reynolds, Pastor." I have no way of knowing if Bishop Reynolds is another innocent victim of these scammers. However, there is someone in Chicago who is ready to identify himself as Billy Reynolds and pick up my cash payment of $499 from Western Union.