David N. Kirkman
Task Force Alert Chair
Asst Attorney General
Consumer Protection
NC Department of
Justice
P.O. Box 629
Raleigh, NC 27602
919-716-6000

North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services

Fraudulent Winning Check from Global Diversification Winners Circle

Northwest North Carolina, January 31, 2005

The Better Business Bureau of Northwest North Carolina warns area residents to be on the look-out for a winning check that may be in your mail from Global Diversification Winners Circle. The BBB has confirmed these checks, drawn on Zions First National Bank (a real bank), are counterfeit checks produced using a stolen company name and account number. If you receive one of these checks, the BBB advises you to not attempt cashing it. If you do attempt it and are successful, you may be held accountable for passing a bad check and be made to repay any money you wrongfully received.

If you find yourself the recipient of a winning check in a foreign lottery, sweepstakes, or give-away, keep the following in mind:

1. There is no reason for someone who is giving you money to ask you to wire money back;
2. Just because you can withdraw the money from the bank does not mean the check is good, even if it is a cashier's check;
3. If a stranger wants to pay you for something, insist on a cashier’s check for the exact amount that is owed to you, preferably from a local bank or one with a branch in your area.
   

Contacts:

BBB of Northwest North Carolina
David W. Dalrymple, President
336-777-3726 ext. 100 (office)
336-813-8200 (mobile)

Posted February 1, 2005

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