It's unlikely that it's the real Reader's Digest. This may be a version of the advance-fee-for-sweepstakes-prize scam described here http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/phone/prizes.shtm which lists several flavors. This type of scam is also being used for fake loans and grants (you have to send them money before they send you a loan or grant). They may send you a fake check, may want your credit/debit card or bank account number, or tell you to wire cash via Western Union, Moneygram, etc. They can put recurrent difficult-to-cancel monthly charges or a 1-time charge on your card or bank account, and sell account info to other criminals and you'll have to replace accounts altogether. Wired-cash is irretrievable - once it's picked up at the other end, it's untraceable and gone. If you give them the WU Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) for the wire, they can pick up the money from anywhere in the world. Report to US Postal Service Inspectors https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx , the Federal Communications Commission http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm , the Federal Trade Commission https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/ and your state AG, as appropriate.
It's unlikely that it's the real Reader's Digest. This may be a version of the advance-fee-for-sweepstakes-prize scam described here http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/phone/prizes.shtm which lists several flavors. This type of scam is also being used for fake loans and grants (you have to send them money before they send you a loan or grant). They may send you a fake check, may want your credit/debit card or bank account number, or tell you to wire cash via Western Union, Moneygram, etc. They can put recurrent difficult-to-cancel monthly charges or a 1-time charge on your card or bank account, and sell account info to other criminals and you'll have to replace accounts altogether. Wired-cash is irretrievable - once it's picked up at the other end, it's untraceable and gone. If you give them the WU Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) for the wire, they can pick up the money from anywhere in the world. Report to US Postal Service Inspectors https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx , the Federal Communications Commission http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm , the Federal Trade Commission https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/ and your state AG, as appropriate.
I received the same letter and a check for $3,910.00. My letter is also from "Readers Digest" the bank the check is drawn on is "Farmers". Everything looks pretty legit but I was suspicious...called the number 778-858-2280 and got the voicemail for Lisa Gomez. Did not leave a message. I will be contacting the post office and my bank.
I received notification and immediately became suspicious since why would someone send an uncertified check for $3675.93 when it claimed that I won $245,000 dollars. Also, I know that I did not file a Reader's Digest Sweepstakes so the likelihood of winning a sweepstakes that you never entered are 0. I didn't even call the number for Lisa Gomez but checked here instead. Glad that I did.........
Oh by the way, my check was drawn on American Family Indurance Group, Madison Wisconsin drawn on US Bank National Association, Wausau WI so there must be many dummy name checking accts out there...........