MADISON, AL (WAFF) -
The Better Business Bureau of North Alabama has a warning about a telephone scam targeting people in the Valley.
People have been calling the BBB to find out if the sweepstakes is real.
One of the scammer's targets who lives in Madison said someone identifying himself as James White has been calling her for over a week. She said the man claimed to work for the Publishers Clearinghouse and his caller ID was from Washington, D.C. The man told her he was a federal agent and even gave her a badge number. He said she had won $450,000.
However, the victim said the main claimed she would never see a dime until she paid an insurance fee for the delivery of her prize. She would have to wire $500 through Western Union to insure the delivery.
They told her it was necessary to insure the prize because of a new law created by President Barrack Obama following the attacks on September 11, 2001. They said the law was aimed at stopping money laundering operations.
The victim, who did not want to be identified, called Publishers Clearinghouse to see if they were involved in the sweepstakes. They advised her they were not.
The Better Business Bureau said the whole scam is far-fetched. Officials said if you get a call like this, take down as much information as you can and then report it to them. Never give the person your private information, like your address, bank account number or name.
They added that you should never wire money to a stranger, no matter what reason they give you.'
If you have been a victim of a scam like this and actually went through with it, call police.
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