The Comet has learned that many county residents are receiving fraudulent checks in the mail stating in various ways that the recipient is the winner of a lottery or contest.

It is the same old story - they give you money to deposit and then expect you to wire them the money to assist with paying taxes on your winnings.

The only person who comes out the loser is the "winner," who cashes the check, wires the money, and then finds out that the check was not good in the first place. The "winner" then must cover the cash award that recently has been amounting from $4,000 to $7,000.

Of course the "winner" is asked to keep the prize confidential.

Please speak to your local bank if you receive one of these letters and checks. They will be able to verify whether or not it is legitimate.