AG Reilly issued the letters to Massachusetts consumers who sent personal information, and in some cases, money responding to a mailing advertising a phony sweepstakes or promotion. The letters, sent to an address in Clives, Iowa, were seized last year by the Iowa Attorney General’s Office and the names of Massachusetts consumers were forwarded to AG Reilly.

“The Iowa Attorney General and I both believe that the original mailing that you responded to was an attempt to identify and locate people who could later be targeted by phony telemarketers and other con-artists,” AG Reilly wrote. “These phony telemarketers and con-artists would have called you, claiming that you had won a sweepstake, lottery, or other prize, or that you are entitled to a government payout or some unexpected inheritance.”

AG Reilly added, “Be warned – everything these people tell you is FALSE – it is all part of a scam to steal your money. Usually, these scammers are outside the United States, and almost impossible to find.”

AG Reilly offers the following advice to consumers about phony sweepstakes or promotions:

JUST HANG UP if you get a call saying you’ve won something and you’re asked for money or personal information.
NEVER wire funds, or send money to a stranger.
NEVER give out your credit card number, bank account information, social security number, date of birth or address to a stranger.