Illegitimate letters from a Massachusetts address are being sent to the state’s citizens claiming “unclaimed property winnings.” These letters are not being sent by the Massachusetts Office of the State Treasurer.
Official unclaimed property notices will never direct owners to pay money, whether for processing fees, tax payments, or otherwise, when searching unclaimed property or filing a claim.
The Office of the State Treasurer and Massachusetts Legislators utilize the mail to inform owners of unclaimed property. There are a number of ways to discern official Treasury notices from scam notices. Letters will be mailed from Boston, Massachusetts with a return address; they will direct owners to an official http://www.mass.gov website; and they will bear the official seal of the State of Massachusetts along with the signature of the Treasurer.
Source: Massachusetts Treasurer’s Office http://www.mass.gov/treasury
