The city of Kirkland Finance Department has been notified by recipients of a letter from “Megamillion Clearing House” (St. Louis, MO) advising that they have been “selected to receive a grand sweepstake prize.” The letter further advises recipients to call a phone number within “six months of the draw date.” Enclosed with the letter is a check made out the recipient and which displays the city of Kirkland Finance Department address and logo and Bank of America Seattle address and logo. This check is fraudulent and should not be cashed or deposited.

The Kirkland Police Department has initiated a fraud investigation and encourages anyone receiving such a letter or anyone with knowledge about the “Megamillion Clearing House” to contact the Police Crime Tip Line at 425-587-3515. Further, those receiving a letter should not contact the phone numbers as it is suspected that personal financial information will be obtained.

As its standard finance practice, the city of Kirkland pre-authorizes check numbers to be released by financial institutions, so no public funds are at risk. The fake checks included with the “Megamillion” letter cannot be cashed as they are fraudulent and will be charged back to the recipient if deposited or cashed.