Won 1st Prize in Starter Wife fresh start Sweepstakes on USA Network

nay1971

nay1971

New member
Yes congrats to me, so why do I feel like I'm being scammed? The contest started on May 1st, 2007 and ended July 5th, 2007. It states that they will choose winners on July 21,2007 and that they require a Notorized affidavit. But I've been asked to send them a copy of my drivers license and a witnesses drivers license. here's a c&p from the form emailed to me.

WINNER SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION. On or about July 21, 2007, employees or
representatives of Sponsor will select in a random drawing, from among all eligible entries received, One
(1) Grand Prize Winner, Ten (10) First Prize Winners and Twenty (20) Second Prize Winners. The first
eligible entry drawn from among all eligible entries will be designated the potential Grand Prize winner.
The next ten (10) eligible entries drawn from the remaining eligible entries will be designated the potential
First Prize winners. The next twenty (20) eligible entries drawn from the remaining eligible entries will be
designated the potential Second Prize winners. All decisions by Sponsor regarding this Promotion shall be
final, binding and cannot be appealed. Winners will be notified by phone, email and/or mail within seven
(7) business days after the drawing date. All winners will be required to return a completed, signed and
notarized affidavit of eligibility and release of liability and, except where prohibited, a publicity release
within seven (7) days of such notification.

I received notification via a telephone call Sept 20th and when the lady told me I would have to fill out a W-9 form and provide my drivers license and a witnesses drivers license, as well as filling out an affidavit. I got a little skeptical. I've had scammers send me bogus winning check in the past. But what this company "the promotional edge" representing usa networks is asking me to do, is send them everything to steal my identity. and they have asked for nothing to be notarized.

I'm almost to the point, that it's enough to know I won, without actually receiving the prize (which was a day at the spa and 3 flower deliveries totaling $800.00).

When I mentioned that I couldn't find out anything about "The promotional edge" or "TPE,Inc" through the better business bureau, the lady on the other end changed her tone of voice and told me I have to have the paperwork faxed to them by the end of today. No more miss nice girl, she lost her sweet "edge".

What would you do?
If I had bad credit I wouldn't be worried. But it's taken me 15 years to build my credit back up from being a college student who almost had to file bankruptcy in my second year of college. Now a $800 "prize" isn't worth the headache.

I'm wondering if anyone else has had to fax in a w-9 form and 2 drivers licenses, instead of a notarized affidavit???
 
:sunny: Congratulations on your win!
I could understand having your drivers license, I have had to send a copy before, but not for the 2nd person. The Promotional Edge is a valid promotion company that handles los of the promotions for
many television channels. I have had wins between $500 and $100 that did not require an affadavit, just the W-9. Sometimes you just have to follow your own gut feeling about these things.

WINNER SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION. On or about July 21, 2007- perhaps that was just for the grand prize winner.
Best of luck to you!
 
Here's what you won.... I found it.....

USA Network - The Starter Wife Fresh Start Sweepstakes

Grand Prize: 5-day/4-night trip for two to Los Angeles, CA; includes rental car, $2,000 shopping spree at Fred Segal, two half-day spa packages, consultation with a celebrity nutritionist/lifestyle coach, consultation with a celebrity fitness trainer and two days of private workout/personal training sessions, and two beauty makeovers (ARV $20,000).

First Prizes (10): Day at a local spa and three monthly Just Because flower arrangements (ARV $800).

Second Prizes (20): Malibu Survival Tote Bag including a water bottle, branded scarf, Too Faced Mini Make-up Palette, The Starter Wife paperback book, Yoga Mat, set of Yoga Flash Cards, nail kit, set of Essie Nail Polish Bottles and a collection of Pond's cosmetic/beauty products (ARV $250).
 
Congrats! If you are unsure, ask if you can black out your driver's license # before you fax it-it is usually just needed to validate your date of birth and that you are who you say you are. I won something recently and had to fax a copy of my driver's license and she told me I could black out the actual #. A scammer can't do much with just a name and address. If a prize is over $600 you usually have to provide your ss# and will receive a 1099 on it. To protect your credit you can do a lot of things. I won't go into it here but if you want to send me a private message I can tell you how. I am also skeptical of phising schemes and whatever... Good luck!
 
Congrats! I hope whatever you do it turns out great. I haven't won anything that big so I would not be able to give you any advice. I think you should trust your instinct also. Good luck!
 
It sounds like you have done your homework. Check with the BBB and check the out on the internet. If they have sent you any letters do a search on the phone numbers and address. I have done that on all my big wins but I have never had to send two dl's. That sounds odd. Check it out and don't let a great win get by.
 
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