CONTACT

Katie Carrol - Director of Communications
Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado
Telephone: 719/636-5076 Ext. 118
Email: katiec@bbbsc.org

DE-LOTTO TRUST GROUP STEALS A CORPORATION’S IDENTITY AND SENDS OUT FRAUDULENT CHECKS IN THEIR NAME.

[Colorado Springs, CO, June 14, 2005] – The Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado is warning consumers not to cash any checks made payable to them by The Apel Machine and Supply Company. This company has become a victim of identity theft by a group known as the De-Lotto Trust Group, Inc. of Toronto Canada. De-Lotto claims they operate the De-Lotto Australian Sweepstakes.

De-Lotto Trust is sending notices through the mail to U.S. residents stating they have won a drawing, which was held April 20th. Enclosed with the notification is a check ranging from $3,500 to $4,700 made payable to the recipient from an account under the name “The Apel Machine and Supply Company” of Cullman, Alabama.

The notices claim the check represents funds that have been deducted from the sweepstakes winnings and are for the payment of government taxes on the winnings. Consumers are then instructed to cash the check and wire the funds back to De-Lotto to pay the appropriate taxes.

An investigation by the BBB shows that The Apel Machine and Supply Company has no connection with the De-Lotto Trust Group or any lottery/sweepstakes company. Apel Machine and Supply is the victim of identity theft and their name and account number were fraudulently used in this sweepstakes promotions.

Some tips from the BBB of Southern Colorado:

• Don’t cash checks for sweepstakes and contests you haven’t entered.
• Consumers should never be asked to make any type of payment, including taxes in order to receive winnings from a sweepstakes or lottery.
• Taxes due from wining a contest are paid to the Internal Revenue Service during regular tax filing season.