Sorry, there was no Bendix sweepstakes

I haven't posted in some time, but figured I should today, when I read this article, and realized it's right up this blog's alley.

From the Bendix website:

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC and Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC, leaders in the development and manufacture of commercial vehicle safety technologies, are warning their employees, customers, and other consumers about a sweepstakes scam that has appropriated the companies’ identities.

The companies first learned about the fraudulent activities on March 24 when consumers began calling their headquarters to inquire about letters and checks they had received that were marked with the names, logos, and addresses of both Bendix and Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake, a Bendix joint venture with Dana Commercial Vehicle Products, LLC. The parties responsible for the scam distributed award letters and fake checks to consumers through the U.S. mail, claiming that recipients were winners of a sweepstakes. The letter urged recipients to cash the enclosed checks and call a non-Bendix number to find out how to claim the remainder of their monetary prize.

“We want our employees, customers, and consumers to know that this mailing is fraudulent,” said Anthony LaPlaca, Bendix’s General Counsel. “Bendix and Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake are in no way responsible for, or associated with, this activity. Although these documents may appear to be authentic, it is important for the public to know that both the award letter and the check are fraudulent.”

Bendix advises recipients of the fraudulent mailing to follow these guidelines:

• Do not call the numbers provided in the letter.
• Do not attempt to cash the fraudulent checks.
• Alert your local authorities that you have received the fraudulent mailing.
• If available, send copies of the fraudulent documents to Bendix for use in the investigation. Documents can be sent to the companies’ headquarters, c/o the Bendix Legal Department, at Bendix Commercial Vehicles Systems LLC, 901 Cleveland St., Elyria, OH 44035.

Isn't that just incredibly rude of these scammers, to now add identity theft into the mix?

Remember, if you ever are notified of a sweepstakes win for a sweepstakes you never remember entering, it's likely a fraud. I am fairly confident this company has never held a sweepstakes, given what it does for a living.