Originally posted by: Common Courtesy
If the check comes via USPS, then it becomes mail fraud.
Let them take it from there.
Not worth wasting the taxpayer's money - it came to my house via USPS, but was mailed from out of the country, no return address. If I'm bored, I'll take it up to my postmaster tomorrow morning. Maybe she'll find it entertaining.
I've thought about pursuing it a little more though. Maybe call the number (make sure I'm not going to get destroyed for phone charges though - use a calling card or something) and give them a hard luck story:
"Just when I thought my luck had turned, I experienced more misfortune. I had recently gone through a tragedy and lost everything I owned. All of my bank accounts were closed. I went to the bank to see about depositing the bank and paying my tax, but the bank said I can't cash checks there without an account. The bank manager, a good friend of mine, said that if I deposited $20, I could open an account. And, once that account was opened, they would allow me to deposit the check and withdraw the amount of the tax, but that I'd have to leave the remainder of the deposit in the bank. I did not tell them that I had won the money, per your request. Could you please send me a $20 bill in the mail so that I can open the account? I assure you, once I get my $125,000, I will be able to repay you back, plus interest."
Of course... they would have my real address...
