[Resolved]  Reader's Digest Sweepstakes 2010 With Hsbc — RD Sweepstakes 2010 Genuine or Scam ?

Address:

Mumbai City, Maharashtra

Hello All,

1. Today morning I received Reader's Digest Sweepstakes 2010 documents asking me to participate. I had never seen a better or more convincing promotional offer. They asked me for my Credit card Number [I have an HSBC credit card and this contest is in affiliation with HSBC]. They would charge me for 449 Rs. for an annual subscription. In order to get this subscription they included a Car Prize [Chairman's Promptness Prize], coupon cheques to be entered in the lottery, A star prize coupon.

2. I called my bank HSBC and they confirmed that this was indeed true. I called RD office and they asked to call on Monday as everything was closed for the weekend. I verified that the finance director was indeed 'Punit Poonegar' as listed on the website and in whose name the documents were sent.

3. I researched extensively online combing every forum and website and have made the following observations -
a. Everyone I know has received a car coupon for the BEST car prized 15 Lacs - Ford Endeavor. However each thinks that only they have received the best car offer.

b. Reader's Digest is dwindling in its subscription in India. Once a great magazine with brilliant articles it is now not so good. So this is a great marketing stint to get you to pay your subscription fees thereby assuring that the prize money will come or not come but the money has definitely gone from your account. Which means once at least you have been duped.

c. Let's take it statistically - For example 5000 people fall for this [it is definitely more considering India's population]. So 5000 innocent people pay 450 Rs. = 5000 * 450 = 22, 50, 000. Twenty-two lac fifty thousand rupees !!! All thanks to each one o[censored]s. They have assured prizes upto 1 crore. Upto 1 crore does not mean it will be 1 crore. Even 300 Rs. is a legit prize money in such a language. Out of what they get even if they give out few thousands of rupess worth of prizes they make a whooping profit. So think about it.

d. There has been a long history of people writing that once they have fallen for this once they keep falling for it again. The letters have been carefully worded - Words like these encourage you to participate - 'Everyone discards their coupons; Make sure you don't else you will never win'. Please do not be duped by such things - they play with psychology, greed and desire. They play with people who want money and are desperately in need of it. So please make a wise decision. I tore mine to pieces; hope you will do the same.

Thanks,
An Indian Citizen