This number is sent out as part of a postal fake check cashing scam that is allegedly involving a representative from the "Publisher's Clearing House, Inc.". It appears at the bottom of such letters in an attempt to lend supposed credibility using this phone # for inquiries to the "Internal Revenue Service office" in order for the receiver of the scam letter to supposedly verify legitimacy of the letter. The letter I got said I was being contacted to get unclaimed prize money worth $675,000, and included a check with a large ($4,745) check, made payable to me, from Esbenshade Farms in Pennsylvania for "to pay processing fees" to attain the larger sum. But the envelope had no return address on it and was bulk post-marked from the zip code H4T 1A0 in Quebec, Canada.
See the following webpage (the 2nd half, near the bottom) for more info on the scam that is running, that related to the PCH Inc. scam.
http://www.scam.com/showthread.php?t=28551
I did not ever (yet) get any phone calls from this company or number, but this number DID appear in this scam letter I received.
I got a check for $4,475.00. The claim number could likely be anything, but mine was WS-1035238-VY. The next thing is to call 1-888-568-3671 and talk with Jack Brunson at extention 1. First clue: Publisher's Clearinghouse is very large, they would hardly use single digit extensions in their PBX structure.
The guy answering the phone, Jack Brunson said all the right things, but when I called the bank, they have no record of the account. The routing number was right, but the account number was bogus. Of course, if its too good to be true, it usually is. It was a fun thought for a few minutes, but its better to be safe than sorry.
The scam works that the money is to cover the taxes on the winnings. They story is that if I had to pay the taxes it would be rebating. Rebating, is of course, quite illegal in sweepstakes lotteries. Being a lifelong game show nut, there are several stories of contestants who have commented on the IRS getting their share before the check hits the bank and the like. The kicker is to call the IRS at 1-514-559-7481. A backcheck on this area code goes to Montreal/Quebec, Canada. The number does not answer, and it sounds a lot like a cell phone "The subscriber you are trying to reach is not available, please try again later." Second clue: The IRS has very detailed voicemail instructions, and never gives cell numbers easily.
Hometowne Heritage Bank can be reached at 1-877-207-4999. If you see a check drawn from this bank, call to verify the account before depositing funds of an unknown source.
I just got a similar cheque in the mail for $4,100.06. There is no letter included. nothing. The cheque comes from Cossette Communication Inc. Centre des services partages 2100 rue Drummond Montreal(Quebec) H3G 1X1 Banque de Montreal . Looks official and real. The envelop also has the H4T 1AO stamp but no return address. I will take it to the bank to see what they say.When I get e-mails saying
that I won I ask them to send me cash or I will have my lawyers pick it up in person. I usually get another SCAM story. These people must be paid to do this as a full time job.