ABC Research & Marketing Inc.
Complaint 145986 Details

I received a letter from ABC Research & Marketing Inc, 175 Attorney St., NY, NY, 10002, stating I had won a Comsumer's Point of Sale Sweepstakes held on August 24th, 2011 in Dallas, TX. The letter stated that my total winnings were to be a lump sum payout of $28,500, but since I had failed to respond to their previous (non-existent) communications I had to keep my award confidential and deal with their North American Agent (R&G Consultants Inc.) who were processing the winnings. The check they sent me for $3,950 could be deposited only after I spoke with my agent Martin White at 888-858-3684, ext. 102 (the phone number of ABC Research & Marketing who sent the letter). The letter also stated that "the check enclosed for $3,950 is part of your winnings and has been sent to you to help cover for the insurance and processing charges. the total amount for the insurance and processing is $2,300 only."

The address for ABC Research & Marketing is a real street in NY City, but ABC Research & Marketing does not reside there, and in fact does not exist at all. RIG Consultants is a real company, but they are a Medicaid payment processing company in Illinois. The check was drawn on the company Tissue Banks International, a real company that performs eye research in Maryland (the address was accurate on the check). The check, however, was drawn on PNC bank, but there was no address for the specific bank location on the check, only ", Maryland", nor was there any ABA or other required routing numbers for bank identification.

If you receive a letter like this, shred it and the check immediately. They are attempting to make you deposit the check and send them your own $2,300 for processing your "winnings" while using real company names in the process.