You're a WINNER!!

How many times have you gotten that kind of letter in the mail? the email?

About a gillion?

Well. I got one the other day specially delivered by FedEx.

It seems that I really DID win $1,000 from an online survey I entered a few weeks back. I had bought some of that Gila® Window Film and inside the product was a notification of their online survey and well, why not? Fast forward to last week and I get the delivery....But... (there's always one of those, huh?) it contained a disclaimer among other things that had to be notarized and returned before they could mail it-- and when I went to the bank to have that done- there was quite a bit of speculation about whether or not it was legit.

Reservations abounded from all quarters that it was bogus.There were a couple of concerns that all the immediate family had when I announced "I'd won!" and then the really BIG thing to alarm the folks at the bank was that it had arrived by FedEx. Apparently, scam artists have gotten wise and realized that by using the good old USPS to deliver their schemes- they are in violation of Federal laws.... so.... they resort to other means of delivery. The second alarm was the request for the SS#. Huh? Why would they need that? I figure it's cause they are required to notify the good old IRS of my winnings.

I even contacted the Attorney General's office to substantiate the legitimacy of this. Didn't hear immediately back from them- so, I went ahead and followed my gut instincts that since I had entered the contest (in good faith) and all the paper trails led to the originating site and the company is reputable- I claimed my prize and signed my name on the dotted line. All along, hoping that I'd not just sold my soul (and sacred SS#) to the devil.

Well!! It CAME! Four days after me having mailed it in! My VISA gift-card CAME! And, I'm going SHOPPING!! Woohooooooo!!!

There was a slight hitch- when I tried to log on to the issuing bank site and activate it- naturally there wasn't a code included in my envelope. With help from Margaret, David & Sandy in St Louis and another Sandy in Taos, I have a fully functioning gift-card!

A word to the wise- if you think it may be bogus. Check it out. Thoroughly.
Arkansas State Attorney General, Justin Daniel's online site is: http://www.ag.state.ar.us/
Better Business Bureau: http://www.bbb.org/
Your personal bank is always an excellent resource- thanks to Vicky!

I am soooooooo excited!

Now... if only Ed McMahon and Pulbishers Clearinghouse would show up with the BIG money!