Something smells like a three-day-old fish here . . .

[Brigid]

Back in November, I got an e-mail from the BMW Lottery Department saying my e-mail address ( how did they get that?) had been selected at random through a computerized e-mail selection system to win a new BMW and $500,000. That's right -- a BMW and $500 grand. The e-mail included a PIN number I was to use and an e-mail address to which I was to send my name, address, e-mail address (I thought they already had that), my age, mailing address, and some other info to the Director of Promotions at the BMW Lottery Department. The e-mail also said that this lottery was approved by the British Gaming Board and licensed by the International Association of Gaming Regulators.

I ignored thus because of course you don't just get an email out of the blue saying you just won a brand-new luxury car and $500K. It just doesn't happen. And everybody's heard of those "Nigerian prince" scams. In fact, I had forgotten about it until tonight, when I got a letter in the mail from a local BMW dealer with a $1,000 gift card for services and parts. What is going on here?

[appleannie1]

1. Tomorrow contact your local dealership. They should know.

[elleng]

2. Good question!

Go to the local dealer in person, and then let us know!

[JaneyVee]

3. Most emails from the British gaming board are scams.

[SheilaT]

4. I'm inclined to think the original thing was a scam,

and very possibly the second one also. But as others have already said, contact the local BMW dealer and let us know.

[sweetapogee]

5. sounds like

you can get a couple of years worth of routine service on your BMW for free.

[Capt.Rocky300]

6. Here is the contact number for BMW of North America......

headquartered in New Jersey. Give them a call. 1-800-831-1117

[Brigid]

7. I wonder what BMW would think . . .

If they knew they were being used in some sort of a scam.

[Capt.Rocky300]

9. Probably, not too pleased and they may want to know about it......

My nephew was product manager for the 3 Series a few years back but went over to Jaguar. He often commented to me how it was a typical German company concerned with quality and image.

[Oilwellian]

8. Email Fraud

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/ContactUs/FraudWarning.aspx

[Capt.Rocky300]

10. You get an A for excellent research.

[defacto7]

11. Even if I get a friendly email notice

from my bank or PayPal or the like which says, "to check your account click the link", I never do it. Never ever do it. It may be legit but it's just as easy to go there directly from your browser rather than using the stupid email link. There's just no reason to do it so why chance a redirect scam.

[RebelOne]

12. Definitely rotten fish.

I received a message from a person claiming to be from the Publisher's Clearing House. He said I had won $1.5 million and a brand-new car. He left a number and I traced the area code which was in Kingston, Jamaica. I didn't know that the Jamaicans were in the scam business.

I am wise to these scamsters as I am sure everyone is nowadays.

[Coyotl]

13. Offshore phone numbers can bill you a bundle just for calling their numbers.

That itself is a scam, getting people to dial phone numbers that charge you for doing so.