"Where's My Million Dollars?" Swindled Senior Asks

 # U.S. Sweepstakes Claims Compliance, of 8414 W. Farm Rd., Suite 180, Las Vegas, NV, 89131, sent Jason a letter with $875,699 printed at the top and requesting a transfer fee of $23.33.

# AEDR Award Entry Directives Report, of 245 Eighth Ave., N.Y., 10011, notified Jason “of your eligibility for Entry to win the $2 (Two) Million Dollars in available Guaranteed Cash and Award Prizes.” According to AEDR’s Robert Steadman, all Jason had to do was send in $20 to receive the package that will tell him all about it.

Seniors, whose judgment may be clouded by medication or medical problems, should be wary of offers that sound too good to be true because they usually are. Other red flags, according to the U.S. Postal Service, are when the sales person says:

# You must decide immediately or the offer will expire.# You are just one of a few people eligible for the offer.

# You must give a credit card number for “verification.”

# You have won a prize but you must pay something before you receive it.# You must send money before you get any details of the deal in writing.

# You are asked to trust the telemarketer. Jason borrowed on his credit cards to raise the money he sent to those that swindled him. It will take him years to pay off his debt.                                              #

(Sherwood Ross formerly reported for the Chicago Daily News and wire services. He currently operates a public relations firm for worthy causes. Reach him at sherwoodr1@yahoo.com). 

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