Ontario International (aka Scam)

Yes, this is a double post edition...

If anyone sends or calls you claiming you're a winner and they refer to you as "Award Winner" or "Mr./Mrs. Last Name" DON'T BELIEVE THEM.

Last week, I had someone called asking for Mrs. Yip to which I replied "Who's calling?" They just proceeded to tell me that I won a choice of 5 prizes and claimed that I entered a contest back in Dec 09 at a supermarket (Loblaws or Wal-Mart). I can say for certain that I DIDN'T enter anything. I thought, hey, let's entertain these people. I'm bored anyway.

They asked if I was in this age range and if I was married. I answered yes and no to those question. The next question was "do you have a boyfriend or someone?" I said, "No."
"But that's ok, you can still claim the prize. Because we just establish our business in Canada, all you need to do is to just tell your friends and family of how great we are. Now, I'm going to transfer you to my manager and he will tell you how to claim the prize."
Somehow that was enough info and he passed me onto "Steve Tark" who is a senior manager with the company. Predictably, Mr. Tark repeated the same thing "Congratulation, Mrs. Yip. You have won a wonderful choice of 5 prizes. Are you between the ages 23-65" (I think that was the range)
"Yes"
"Are you married?"
"No."
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
"No."
"That's ok, you can still come in and claim the prize. Just come to our office Thursday at 6pm. Our receptionist will answer all your questions. The receptionist will take you to our back room and you can pick your prize there."
Just so you know, this has already gone on about 15min by the time the call was transferred to Steve Tark.
"Do you have a first name?"
"I don't have the ballot with me, ma'am." (brilliant)
"So, who are you looking for? I have other people living here with the same last name."
"I understand ma'am but you can claim the prize."
"But you can't tell me who you're looking for?"
"As I said ma'am, the call was transferred to me and the ballot is in a different department."
"That's not my problem."
"I understand ma'am. But you can still claim the prize with the ticket number my staff gave you earlier. You can come in Thursday at 6pm."
"I'm busy."
"Not a problem, you can come in Saturday at 6pm or next Tuesday at 6pm."
"Nope, busy."
"When are you available?"
"Only Thursday from 3-4."
"Well, that is our business hour but let me see what I can do and I will give you a call back."
"Ok."
"Thank you and congratulation."

That's the rough conversation. It's been a week and they have not called back. It's kinda too bad I didn't write the number down... But here's the information of this "company" - Ontario International, 6175 Hwy 7 Unit 6 in Woodbridge.

Ironically, I do drive on Hwy 7 and specifically that area 2 times a week... So, I took a glace as I drove by on Hwy 7. AND as expected, there it was 6175 Hwy 7 Unit 6. Two cars parked in front. Front office light on. NO SIGN. I do not buy the "new building" argument. There are other businesses beside them and THEY have company sign.