I recieved a letter stating I won $26,000 on Friday, enclosed was a cashier's check for $3,120. I was skeptical, but wanted to believe...I am a single mother of 6 children with a $9/hour job...I was two months behind on my mortgage and kept getting payday loans to pay off the previous payday loan, some of my utilities were threatening to shut me off, plus I have entered hundreds of contests or sweepstakes in the past year (wishful thinking), I googled the bank it was drawn on and it had a website with different locations and such, then I did a search on the BBB with the name of the company and they had no info on the company, so I assumed this was good (no complaints), then I called the number they gave me in the letter, they assured me this is legitimate andto cash the check, wait for it to clear if I wanted to, then call them back...oh, and the check was an advance for fees or taxes I may have to pay, my bank account was over drawn also at this time...I took the bait! Went to the bank cashed the check paid up on my debts, then today when I got home from work I called the number again to see about the $26,000...they wanted me to western union the same amount they sent me, I said I thought this money was to pay taxes, shouldn't I pay this to the IRS? She said, no it's Canadian taxes. I told her my bank account was over drawn when I deposited the check so I would need some time to get the full amount, she said I had until October 12th to claim my prize. after I hung up the phone I was going to call my Mom to borrow the money to send (I had already spent the check on bills just catching up), but I knew my Mom would be skeptical so I thought I'd research online things she would ask me...I googled Canadian taxes got CRA website and right on the front page there it said Canada does not require you to pre pay taxes or any fees to recieve money won...then I did more research and realize that this is a huge scam...that the check is a fraud and the money will be taken out of my account and I could be charged with criminal charges!!!! Any advice? Anyway I can fight back??? Yes I realize I spent the money, but I really did think it wa mine to spend, what do I do now? Please anyone have some good advice?
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