Mo. AG's office warns of fake letter scam

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - The state attorney general's office is warning Missourians about a scam that involves telling people that in order to claim huge prizes they first have to pay fees to government agencies.

Attorney General Chris Koster says in a release Wednesday that the scam letters are being sent on letterhead that appear to be from government agencies including the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service and the Missouri attorney general's office.

The letters include specific amounts that consumers would supposedly have to pay to claim their prizes. They also cite a law that doesn't exist in Missouri.

Koster says if consumers are in doubt about whether a letter or phone call is from his office or any other government agency, they should contact his consumer protection hotline at 800-392-8222.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.