"Strike It Rich V" $2,100,000 sweepstakes

gambit47 · #1 09-09-2006, 02:48 AM

I just got a notice in my mail about some $2.1 million sweepstakes, printed on pink paper in a pink envelope:

Dear ,
We are trying to reach you regarding your $2,100,000.00 sweepstakes ID #. Please call us at the number. This is a free call. Sincerely - Pay Haines, Sales Representative.

The notice is addressed to me by name at my home address, and is from the "National Magazine Exchange". I'm very careful about who I give that information to, so I guess he/she got it from some magazine mailing list or something. The notice does have an Esquire logo on it, though I do not have, and have never had, a subscription to Esquire. I guess that is a sponsor logo.

scambuster · #2 09-09-2006, 05:16 AM

Throw it away and forget you ever saw it.

galaxy · #3 09-30-2006, 09:55 AM

what stupid scammers, they think everyone is stupid and they think they got another sucker. what and why would you win something you did not enter. i get scammed everyday that i won all this bloody money what a joke and i laugh at those morons.

azboogie46 · #4 11-30-2006, 11:21 AM

I got one of those also, except it had the GOOD HOUSEKEEPING logo. It must be that time of year, you know, when money is tight, stress is high, and they know we are vulnerable. It is just
SO WRONG!

mkonline · #5 12-03-2006, 06:19 PM

I received the same bogus material with the Good Housekeeping logo on it.
Either shred it or burn it.

contestcen · #6 12-06-2006, 09:10 PM

This is not entirely fraudulent. You will win a prize which is a stay at a time-share vacation location. There they will try their best to sell you one of their time-share vacation packages. If you have the will ***** to resist, and are willing to pay for your own transportation, then you can get a short vacation out of it.

maverick8 · #7 01-09-2007, 03:18 PM

i just got same mail it says STRIKE IT RICH V in a pink paper. saying i won a big money for $2,100,000.00. how can we sue this people doing this scam..?

insanemockery · #8 01-22-2007, 11:02 PM

I JUST received that in the mail today....If it seems too good to be true...it must be....although 2.1 million dollars does seem nice.....The question is...where did they get my address....I haven't lived here long...I didn't put a change of address in...and I haven't given my address out to anyone but my new job......hmmm.

Moen · #9 02-01-2007, 03:06 AM

Anybody heard of the C.O.P. check scam from the UK?

xedex08 · #10 02-02-2007, 05:54 AM

yes completely fraudulant....stay far away

loveless13 · #11 02-15-2007, 02:10 AM

YEAH I JUST GOT ONE IN THE MAIL TODAY AND I DONT KNOW HOW THEY GET MY ADDRESS AND NAME :mad: I DIDNT SIGN UP FOR NOTHING AND DONT BELIEVE IN SCAMS...I JUST THREW IT AWAY :D

counteru · #12 02-21-2007, 08:52 PM

Yes I got this same crap of a scam pink paper today. I called the phone number and asked to speak to "PatHaines", which is the "FROM" name on the pink envelope. The guy said that just a marketing name and how may he help me. I informed him he could help me by not sending me this crap in the mail again or I will inform the police and direct them to this phone number. He promptly replied, "Ok, definately not a problem!"

DONT FALL for this scam...!

chzeng · #13 03-23-2007, 04:40 AM

Someone help me out. I wish i could have known about this forum earlier so I would not subscribe to this stupid scam. I got the same pink envelope today. As a high school senior searching for all available scholarships, I momentarily didn't remember there are scams. I called the number and subscribed the offer. They got my credit card numbers, and my home address stuff. I realized it was was wrong after hanging up the phone. Then I called the number again and told them to cancel my purchases. They said yes. Does this mean I am safe now? Please give me some advice on how I can prevent they take money from my credit card.

PremieMom · #14 03-29-2007, 10:07 AM

If I were you (if you haven't done so already), I wouldn't "trust" that they canceled your subscription. REMEMBER: They are the ones that tried to scam you in the first place. Call your credit card company immediately and let them know that you believe you have been scammed, they can put a freeze on your account, and issue you another card with a new number (usually free of charge). I too had a momentary lapse in judgment. Luckily I used a credit card and not my debit card, so it made things a lot easier (Don't ever use your debit card if you are not 110% sure of the company). The first red flag to me was that even though I *67 my number, they still got it (I'm still trying to figure that one out). Now the only thing I have to worry about is the fact that they will probably sell my my number and my mailing address to everyone on God's green earth... These scammers know how to "Sweet Talk" you. To be perfectly honest I don't know how they sleep at night.

Always try to remember "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is"

Best of luck to you.

Lara111 · #15 04-24-2007, 02:33 AM

Hey all-

I just received the same pink notice, with an ID number and 800 number. It has a TV Guide logo on this one. Would it not make sense to contact the companies that these criminals are fraudulantly representing? They have the pockets to fight a law suit, not the every citizen.

I have a friend that was from another country who moved here and was swindled out of 8,000 from another scam. It makes me sick thinking of all the people desperate for money that do not realize that dirty criminals exist. It's a shame!

Lara

racer400 · #16 04-26-2007, 05:43 AM

i just recived a pink paper saying strike it rice v with a tv guide logo on it.

Adam

trail40 · #17 04-26-2007, 07:58 PM

These people kept calling me and when I did not return their calls, now they are sending me pink notices to make it look I might be a winner. I never entered any contest with these people. TOTAL SCAMMERS!!!!!!

noscamsformeplz · #18 06-15-2007, 05:25 AM

hey i got one of those little pink papers in the little pink envelope on it also, but it had a star logo on it. so i decided to call it back knowing its a scam but trying to figure out how htey got my information. and the guy tells me its because i have been a visa cardholder and blah blah blah. i have never had a devit or credit card with the visa logo on it EVER. i told him this and he says its irrelevant. YEAH RIGHT. throw this crap away! i am!

scamsstink · #19 06-22-2007, 03:14 AM

I received one as well. I left it unopened on the counter, and I guess my husband opened it... it says "Second Notice" on the front. Mine is from Shape magazine. He opened it because he thought it was from Fed Ex... it cleverly uses Fed Ex's color scheme and fonts so it looks legit. But if one looks closely, he/she will see that it does not say Fed Ex anywhere on the envelope.

nrk35 · #20 06-22-2007, 09:01 AM

I received one too... called it and bought some magazines. I got the mags just like I asked and I'm satisfied. They weren't rude and they billed me just like we set up on the phone. I'm not expecting to win the "sweepstakes". If I do, I won't turn it down. I guess they do a drawing later. After reading all of these posts i just wonder how you guys think you got scammed ?? If you don't want to buy something DON'T, bunch of fools!! It's just a magazine company, guys. If you don't want the product don't buy it. The only way to get scammed is if they don't deliver the product and just take your money... neither of which seems to be happening. Sounds like you guys are mad cuz you bought something on impulse. Well that's your fault.... not theirs. What most people don't know is that most people are happy with their order, especially if they are looking for a good deal on some subscriptions. Anyways, get a life guys and stop worrying about who's out to get you. If you don't want it Don't Buy!!

Shamm06 · #21 06-25-2007, 10:11 PM

Ok I did see the pink mail and did call... I declined the offers they gave me but a month later I received a mail from (mmar) major money and award reporting office? It’s in Vegas. Does anyone know anything about this???

melissa12 · #22 07-12-2007, 06:28 AM

I RECEIVED THE SAME PINK SECOND NOTICE WITH A TV GUIDE LOGO ON IT AND JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE DECIDED TO CALL. WAS REALLY CLOSE TO BUYING THE MAGAZINES UNTIL THEY ASKED FOR MY CREDIT CARD NUMBER. WHETHER IT'S A SCAM OR NOT IT DOESN'T TAKE A GENIOUS TO FIND OUT THAT IT IS NOT SAFE TO GIVE OUT YOUR CREDIT CARD NUMBER.
AS MANY TIMES AS I TOLD THEM THAT I WAS NOT INTERESTED IN PURCHASING ANYTHING EXCEPT FOR ENTERING THE SWEEPSTAKES THEY WERE VERY PERSISTENT. SO I DID THE ONLY THING I THOUGHT WAS BEST. I HUNG UP THE PHONE AND THREW OUT THAT PAPER. FOR ONE I NEVER ENTERED THE SWEEPSTAKES OR GOT THE FIRST NOTICE. SO HOW DID THEY GET ALL MY INFO??? SHOPPING FOR GREAT DEALS IN ALOT OF FUN AND I TRUST VERY FEW COMPANIES WITH MY VISA. BUT WHEN A GUT INSTINCT TELLS U DON'T DO IT. GO WITH IT!!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by nrk35

I received one too... called it and bought some magazines. I got the mags just like I asked and I'm satisfied. They weren't rude and they billed me just like we set up on the phone. I'm not expecting to win the "sweepstakes". If I do, I won't turn it down. I guess they do a drawing later. After reading all of these posts i just wonder how you guys think you got scammed ?? If you don't want to buy something DON'T, bunch of fools!! It's just a magazine company, guys. If you don't want the product don't buy it. The only way to get scammed is if they don't deliver the product and just take your money... neither of which seems to be happening. Sounds like you guys are mad cuz you bought something on impulse. Well that's your fault.... not theirs. What most people don't know is that most people are happy with their order, especially if they are looking for a good deal on some subscriptions. Anyways, get a life guys and stop worrying about who's out to get you. If you don't want it Don't Buy!!

melissa12 · #23 07-12-2007, 06:35 AM

I Feel Ur Pain I Was Really Close To Giving My Visa Number To This Lady. She Seemed Very Nice But When I Told Her That I Didnt Want To Make The Purchase She Wouldn't Take No For An Answer. So I Hung Up The Phone. None Of It Seems Real. If I Want A Good Deal On A Magazine I Would Go Directly To The Publisher And Order. I Get Cosmo All The Time And I Deal Directly With Them.

monkey5309 · #24 07-14-2007, 10:48 PM

I actually called the 800# just to see what would happen. I decided before hand that if they asked for any personal information I was going to hang up. I called, someone answered took the ID# and confirmed my phone number and that was it!!!

Does anyone think there is any harm in this? I mean for me? They seemed to have my info already and I never gave them cc's or anything! Should I take any precautions?

Nubcake · #25 07-25-2007, 10:04 PM

this is a Sweepstkes so u have to enter to win 2.1mil but i dont buy it cause it total bull****

tmpryor33 · #26 08-04-2007, 02:45 AM

i just got that sweepstakes in the mail and i called them. it had the tv guide logo on it. and it sounded good with the subscription but they told me i had to have 40 months of 7.00 paid in the first 5 months and it would be 79.99 a month. well the math doesnt add up. i picked out the 2 magazines and they said they would give me 3 more for free. and two free diamond watches and a pda. thats alotta free stuff. definatly a scam

tygerswife · #27 10-10-2007, 03:51 PM

I received a green notice today, from Pat Haines saying "Our records indicate that you have been designated as the recipient of Prize Entry #___. This ID belongs to you and you alone...." and that I need to call this number to activate my prize.
I googled and this website came up. I get hundreds of these kinds of scams in the mail all of the time. I am glad you guys are posting this stuff! Maybe they will get the message that the American Public are not stupid and are on to them! :) Have a great day!

4REL22 · #28 11-29-2007, 07:42 PM

Today I received A green strike it rich sweepstakes in the mail.I immediately was suspicious because it had no company info. or mailing adress besides a p.o.box. I got on the internet immediately and found this site that proved me right. Be cautous if it looks to good to be true, investigate!!!:eyes:

BlueInOhio · #29 12-04-2007, 04:26 PM

We just received our notification from Pat Haines about the big prize that we "won." However, our letter was green and not pink.

yarbsea · #30 12-05-2007, 09:00 AM

I won this contest -it is totaly legit. They came with one of those giant checks. It was awesome , and they had all the balloons and the prize van just like you see on TV. When the cameras turned off, they switched the big check for a little check, but it was only for 100 bucks! And i was like WTF!!!!!!??? Then they all laughed and drove to the neighbors house and did the same thing all over again! I was SOOO PISSED!!!! Anyway..the check bounced today, so now i'm out the 30 dollar fee...this sucks.

Aiyaiyai · #31 01-02-2008, 06:11 PM

Got a blue check in the mail. 2,100,000 check. Says all over it this is not a real check. Call 1-800-687-9411. Read the back, didn't say anything about purchasing so I decided what the hell I'll go ahead and call. Called a lady answered and she was pretty nice. Next thing you know I've also won two diamond watches and all I had to do was subscribe to 3 magazines for 4 payments of like $70. Told her I wasn't interested a couple times, then I just went along with it saying sure and whatever to what she said. A guy came on the line and started talking. Now I'd won a PDA. He was rather pushy. Asked for my credit card expiration date. Gave it to him, but I began getting cautious by how pushy he was and hung up the phone. Then I searched the net and found this. Sad, sad people they are.

counteru · #32 08-23-2008, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nrk35

I received one too... called it and bought some magazines. I got the mags just like I asked and I'm satisfied. They weren't rude and they billed me just like we set up on the phone. I'm not expecting to win the "sweepstakes". If I do, I won't turn it down. I guess they do a drawing later. After reading all of these posts i just wonder how you guys think you got scammed ?? If you don't want to buy something DON'T, bunch of fools!!

This idiot obviously works for the crooks sending these out. Dont listen to this TOOL... he will have you in a world of crap. What this idiot doesnt even realize is that a person does not need your credit card info for the purpose of using your money to purchase items. The reason behind it is that they can use this info to steal your identity. There are many ways to do this online just simply by having companies verify who you are by doing a credit card check. That is simply where a company will send a deposit and charge to your account for $1. It is alot like how paypal verifies your identity. This is one of the ways people trick paypal and then they apply for credit which they can then use and send anywhere in the world. SO, again... dont listen to this fool! Don't deal with anyone you dont know for certain is legit and matter of a fact, if you can help it, dont give it out over the phone to anyone. They are problably in the works to already steal this idiots identity.. well unless he has bad credit. By the looks of his judgement skills, I would say that is a probability!!

craigb · #33 09-13-2008, 07:24 PM

hahahahahaha... i've never realized how dumb america is until now

. i work for the company who you would call and it is totally valid... we enter you into a bonded (meaning that it is already in the bank for the winner) 2.1 million dollar

sweepstakes that is for real... the drawing is on or about 2/17/10 and the last person who won was some lady in MI. we've sponsored a sweepstakes since 1984 and you really don't have to buy anything to be entered in the sweepstakes. Yes we work with the national magazine exchange and we will pitch you magazines but we give you like 9 magazines for only 1.29 per week and a 20 dollar gas card and some other stuff i'm not really sure because i don't work for that department i only give you three magazines and then i send you to a supervisor who gives you the rest of the magazines and other stuff for free. so it really is a good deal

. i even subscribe to some like ESPN and Science Illustrated. we have over 300 magazines and you can change them at any time during your service. if you do get a service of magazines i also get commission so call in and buy some magazines and if you want to cancel you have 7 days unless local law requires a longer time. so purchase the magazines and then call back and cancel them if you want so we still get money. and no we don't give your credit card # to anyone else because we wouldn't be in operation anymore. SO NO IT IS NOT A SCAM PEOPLE... just an intelligent marketing system. have any questions feel free to ask me.

counteru · #34 09-15-2008, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *****b

hahahahahaha... i've never realized how dumb america is until now

. i work for the company who you would call and it is totally valid. just an intelligent marketing system. have any questions feel free to ask me.

marketing lmfao this idiot obviously does not even know what the hell marketing is. Marketing is not giving crap away for free without generating revenue. THe smoke your trying to blow claims to give stuff away for free for no reason other than just because they are tired of sittin around jerkin-ther-derkin. you make me laugh. This guy is a prime example of the dedication of scammers. They even take the time to try to validate their efforts with ignorant remarks just like this guy tried. NICE TRY IDIOT! Next time look up the word marketing in the dictonary first. You ILLEGALLY solicite people through the mail and then attempt to scam them out of money. LIke I said, get a life. Otherwise, one day you will be sittin in a cell getting your backside loosen by a dude named bubbles.

craigb · #35 09-15-2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by counteru

marketing lmfao this idiot obviously does not even know what the hell marketing is. Marketing is not giving crap away for free without generating revenue. THe smoke your trying to blow claims to give stuff away for free for no reason other than just because they are tired of sittin around jerkin-ther-derkin. you make me laugh. This guy is a prime example of the dedication of scammers. They even take the time to try to validate their efforts with ignorant remarks just like this guy tried. NICE TRY IDIOT! Next time look up the word marketing in the dictonary first. You ILLEGALLY solicite people through the mail and then attempt to scam them out of money. LIke I said, get a life. Otherwise, one day you will be sittin in a cell getting your backside loosen by a dude named bubbles.

hahaha... this guy is the dumbest one in america... he's probably even voting for obama... and i'd have a better chance sitting in a bed with your wife than in a cell

counteru · #36 09-22-2008, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *****b

hahaha... this guy is the dumbest one in america... he's probably even voting for obama... and i'd have a better chance sitting in a bed with your wife than in a cell

with all the information I just exposed against you, that is all you have to say?! Humm, I think you have now proved my point!! You ever notice how when people are doing something wrong they always attempt to discourge the people who bust up their operation or leak info that is harmful to their agenda, by attempting to slander their opposition! LMFAO, is all I have to say! This guy has just verified that everything I have said about his is 100% true. I know for a fact you will be sittin behind bars if enough people send your crap to the proper authorities. Otherwise, when I told your stupid scamming company to never send me anything else or I will forward all your mail to the police, you would not have almost pissed your pants little boy.

diggergirl2004 · #37 10-14-2008, 04:07 PM

Ahhh...Here it is 10/08 and the scammers are still going strong. My husband just got this notice as well. I called the number and the guy said he got the information about my husband from a recent major credit card that was opened in his name. (Credit card companies have enough security problems to deal with, they By No Means release card holders info to marketing groups!)

The guy wanted me to confirm my husband still had it, which I said I was none of his business. He then started to pitch imitation diamond watches. He wanted to know what interests we had, what kind of magazines we read. I responded that none of that information was his business and that I was not interested in buying anything from him. When I told him for the third time I was not interested in buying anything, he stated he would have his manager join him on the phone to see if they could offer me a 'great' deal. When I started saying I wasn't interested again, the bum proceeded to talk over me loudly (like that would persuade me to say "Oh...I think I'll reconsider")

What it did persuade me to do is turn in this information to my local FBI office. If any of you other recipients of this bogus "sweepstakes" care to join me...go to www.fbi.gov and there is a section for reporting fraud.

Have a nice day!

legitebiz · #38 06-08-2009, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yarbsea

I won this contest -it is totaly legit. They came with one of those giant checks. It was awesome , and they had all the balloons and the prize van just like you see on TV. When the cameras turned off, they switched the big check for a little check, but it was only for 100 bucks! And i was like WTF!!!!!!??? Then they all laughed and drove to the neighbors house and did the same thing all over again! I was SOOO PISSED!!!! Anyway..the check bounced today, so now i'm out the 30 dollar fee...this sucks.

I know this thread has some serious (and not so serious) discussion in it, but the story of this guy is hilarious!

I feel for him really, but as always, easy money only brings no money and a lot of headaches.

ballkap · #39 07-02-2009, 02:09 AM

They think everyone is stupid and they think they got another sucker. what and why would you win something you did not enter. i get scammed everyday that i won all this bloody money what a joke and i laugh at those morons.

stinkin lincoln · #40 11-08-2009, 01:17 AM

If you fell for this scam you are retarded

I used to work for this company, the strike it rich sweepstakes otherwise known as SDP (special data processing) it is now called agora marketing.

they get all there info from major credit card holder so you can thank them.

the good news is agora markeing has there own cancellation department and they will cancell your subscriptions if you stay firm and ask. they have never once in 20 years reported anyone to a debt collector.

if you simply stay firm and state you want to cancel after about 6 rebutals you will be transferd to the cancellation department.

manus · #41 11-22-2009, 06:45 PM

I called the phone number and asked to speak to "PatHaines", which is the "FROM" name on the pink envelope. The guy said that just a marketing name and how may he help me. I informed him he could help me by not sending me this crap in the mail again or I will inform the police and direct them to this phone number.