Scam warning

An old scam is making the rounds again in this area, according to Flora attorney Cindy Harmon.

The scam involves a $250,000 award to the recipient of a letter that originates from Canada. There is no return address. The letter instructs the winner to cash the enclosed $3,500 check, which will be used to cover taxes, insurance and handling fees for the award. After the check is cashed the recipient receives a telephone call to wire transfer the $3,500 back to the issuer of the check in order to process the award. By the time the check comes back to the bank and is determined to be counterfeit, the recipient is out $3,500 of their own money.

The letter also instructs the recipient to keep the award from the public until the claim is processed.

Several different companies' checks are used, but it is all the same scam. This particular scam was from U.S.A. Mega Direct.

Recipients of these types of letters should notify police or the Indiana Attorney General's Office.