The Better Business Bureau serving North Alabama is alerting consumers throughout the U.S. to the most recent foreign lottery scam, which includes a notice regarding the British Lotto Commission and uses the name of a legitimate business in Guntersville, AL to attempt to add authenticity.

Certificates of Award Notification letters claiming to be from John Williams, Prize Director of the British Lottery Commission, are being sent by mail to residences throughout the U.S. The letters state that the recipient’s name was drawn from those who had previously signed for the North American Sweepstakes. The recipient is told that they have won in the third category and will be receiving a lump sum pay out of USD $165,000.00.

A check in the amount of $2,800.00 made payable to the recipient from an account for Architectural Floor Solutions, LLC of Guntersville, Alabama accompanies the letter. The recipient is instructed to call an agent at Rapid Disbursement Company for instructions on how to submit the $2,800.00 back to them to pay tax and a clearance fee before receiving the $165,000.00.

Max Thompson, Vice President of Architectural Floor Solutions, LLC called the BBB to confirm that their company has no connection with the British Lotto Commission or any lottery or sweepstakes related company. It appears that Architectural Floor Solutions, LLC is a victim of identity theft and their name and account number were used fraudulently in the foreign lottery award notification. Consumers are advised that they should not attempt to cash the check nor wire any funds to Rapid Disbursement Company or the British Lotto Commission. Architectural Floor Solutions, LLC has closed the account that appears on the check.

The BBB also advises consumers that you should never be asked to make any type of payment, including taxes, in order to receive winnings from a sweepstakes or lottery. Any taxes due from winning a contest would be paid to the Internal Revenue Service during regular tax filing season. In addition, it is illegal to participate in a foreign lottery through the U.S. Mail. For more information on foreign lottery or sweepstakes scams, you can visit the BBB’s website at www.northalabama.bbb.org or call your BBB at (256) 775-2917 or (800) 239-1642.