If you get a letter in the mail saying you've won millions of dollars in some sort of sweepstakes — it's more than likely not legit.
Canada's Competition Bureau is issuing a warning about a variation on an old scam, where fraudsters send their potential victims a personalized letter breezily announcing they've won a huge jackpot prize.
The Bureau suggests the letters might contain things like official-looking seals or bar codes in an effort to try and convince the recipients their letters are above board.
RELATED
• Lasalle mother is suspected leader of telephone scam
• Don't fall victim to the top ten scams in Canada in 2017
• WATCH: Mounties issue another warning about Canada Revenue Agency scam
There is a catch, of course — the letter asks the "winners" to send along $20 as a "processing fee" so they can collect their winnings. Very often, they'll be asked to send along other valuable personal information as well.
"The elderly are predominantly targeted by these scams," says the Bureau's Tom Steen, "so really, people should look out for their elderly friends and family to make sure they're not victimized by these types of scams."
And should you respond to those letters, or surrender more personal information than you should, you'll almost certainly expose yourself to a flood of junk mail from scammers looking to make a buck at your expense.