Officials with the Atmore Police Department are warning Atmore area residents of a scam that has already affected several citizens.

APD Investigator Robby Williams said the scam involves people receiving a letter in the mail claiming they have won prize money in a contest.

“One of the most common of these involve people getting a notice in the mail that they have won a large sum of money,” Williams said. “The notices usually contain a check for several thousand dollars with the instructions that they are to cash the check, send most of the money back to the claims agent as ‘processing fees’ or taxes in order to claim the larger sum of their winnings. These are sometimes followed by a phone call from a fictitious claims agent. This is a scam and the checks are counterfeit.”

Williams said most scams of this nature are operated outside of the United States, making it impossible for law enforcement to punish the parties responsible. Even though the perpetrators are typically located abroad, the address on the checks might still be from inside the U.S., Williams said.

“Even though most will give a U.S. address, the scammers almost always live outside the country,” he said. “The notices and checks may appear authentic, and the company name on the check may be a legitimate company, but the checks are reproduced counterfeits and not issued by the company.”

The APD is asking that citizens be wary of these types of scams.

“Never cash a check from anyone that asks you to return a portion of that check,” Williams said. “When you cash a check, you are legally responsible for the amount you receive. If that check is counterfeit, you will have to repay the amount of the check, even if you have sent the larger portion to a third party. Always be alert of winning contests that you have not entered. Legitimate sweepstakes and contests will hold whatever fees or taxes owed from your winnings. They will never ask you to cash a check and return a portion of it.”