By Nicole Walton
Manistique, MI – The Schoolcraft County Sheriff's Department is warning residents about a new sweepstakes scam making the rounds. Deputies say some local citizens have received mail with legitimate-looking checks and letters saying they've won a 'shopper's sweepstakes.' Scammers instruct the victim to deposit the check and forward some of the funds to a representative for taxes on the so-called 'prize.' When the fake check bounces, the victim's account is in deficit and they could be criminally charged with passing a bad check.
Sheriff Grant Harris says legitimate lotteries will withhold any taxes from the winner's prize, and in most cases they have to contact lottery officials themselves--not the other way around. Anyone who receives such a letter in the mail should contact their local law enforcement agency.