Letter from Madden Hall about free airline tickets
[UPDATE 9/19/10: I have included more information in a post about another letter here.] (See other posts here.)
Today I received a letter from Madden Hall telling me that I have qualified for an award of 2 roundtrip airline tickets. It says to call 866-390-9070. It looks like it was actually signed by Jacqueline Ball, the Vice President of the Travel Awards Division.
The www.maddenhall.com website exists. Here’s the whois info: http://www.whois.net/whois/maddenhall.com — registered June 7, 2010.
My envelope has a 44 cent actual stamp, postmarked from Phoenix AZ 852 on July 3 and my address is hand written!
I’m not going to write my thoughts yet, I’d be interested to hear your comments!
[UPDATE 7/6/10 10pm] I see that a few have searched for information about this letter. Please write your thoughts…
[UPDATE 7/7/10 4pm] I see some more visitors have been searching about this letter. Here are some things that seem to be related in some way:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgk7aFGO5pY
http://www.youtube.com/user/maddenhall09
[UPDATE 7/8/10 9pm] Here’s their Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/maddenhall
An actual story: http://www.kgun9.com/Global/story.asp?S=12741861
Notice anything similar to maddenhall.com with these?
Garrison Finley: http://www.garrisonfinley.com/
Sampson Phelps: http://www.sampsonphelps.com/
Burton Malone: http://burtonmalone.com/
Anderson Pratt: http://andersonpratt.com/
Morgan Stanfield: http://morganstanfield.com/
Maddox Wright: http://maddoxwright.com/
Strickland Penn: http://stricklandpenn.com/
Harris Fields: http://www.harrisfields.com/
Lexington Duke: http://www.lexingtonduke.com/
Hamilton Gates: http://hamiltongates.com/ (http://twitter.com/hamiltongates)
Davidson Powell: http://davidsonpowell.com/ (http://twitter.com/davidsonpowell)
Nicholson Barnes: http://www.nicholsonbarnes.com/ (http://twitter.com/nicholsonbarnes)
Warner Rowe: http://www.warnerrowe.com/ (http://twitter.com/warnerrowe)
Larson Keller: http://www.larsonkeller.com/ (http://twitter.com/larsonkeller)
Robinson Rhodes: http://www.robinsonrhodes.com
Foster Simmons: http://www.fostersimmons.com/
Stanton Carney: http://www.stantoncarney.com/
Swanson Carr: http://www.swansoncarr.com/
Morrison Banks: http://www.morrisonbanks.com/
Stanton Carney: http://www.stantoncarney.com/
Zimmerman Cain: http://zimmermancain.com/
Thompson Fuller: http://www.thompsonfuller.com/
Shelton White: http://sheltonwhite.com/
Gilbert Turner: http://gilbertturner.com/
Richardson Blake: http://www.richardsonblake.com/
Sutton Perry: http://www.suttonperry.com/
Chapman Lane
Sullivan Lang
Spencer Burns
Hammond Reed
Lambert Steel
Peterson Burke
Watson Brooks
Bradley Tate
Stevens Cole: http://www.stevenscole.com/
Hudson Stone
Hoffman Sims
Patterson Bell
Erickson Wade
Emerson Ross
Welsh McCormick: http://welshmccormick.com/
Jensen Sharpe: http://www.jensensharpe.com/
Jefferson Greer: http://www.jeffersongreer.com/
Henderson Gill: http://www.hendersongill.com/
Finn and Gilliam: http://finnandgilliam.com/
Brooks Spade: http://brooksspade.com/
[UPDATE 7/8/10 10pm]
I think I have found the answers to this mystery thanks to the great work of the folks at BBB in Tucson, AZ:
http://www.bbb.org/tucson/business-reviews/travel-clubs/southwest-travel-club-in-tucson-az-20007983
[UPDATE 7/24/10 10pm] I got another letter! This time from Hamilton Gates. See my new blog post.
[UPDATE 9/15/10] Oh look what someone posted about me anonymously, of course: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/5201222/brian_morris_tech_fraud/
Here is the letter and envelope (click to see larger image):
TEXT:
I am pleased to inform you that you have qualified for an award of 2 roundtrip airline tickets. Congratulations. These tickets are valid for travel anywhere in the Continental U.S. The retail value of this award is up to $1,400.00. Certain restrictions apply.
We have attempted contacting you several times without success. This is our last attempt. If we do not hear from you soon, we may need to issue the ticket vouchers to the alternate.
Please call me today at 866-390-9070.
Regards,
Jacqueline Ball
Vice President, Travel Awards Division
info@maddenhall.com — www.maddenhall.com
AT-91825 at the bottom
See following link.
http://tucsoncitizen.com/bbbconsumeralert/2010/06/01/questionable-letters-promising-free-airline-tickets-circulating-in-southern-arizona/
Assume if one were to call the number listed additional funds of some sort would be required. Often must book hotels and meals through the company and their cost exceeds the cost of the airline tickets; or similar requirements exist so the consumer pays more than if booked his/her self.
If one wanted to pursue this matter could call the number and report the results to the Postmaster General; who would be very interested since the addresses used are specific.
When running across such offers always remember there is no such thing as a free lunch. Someplace, somehow, someone is trying to make a buck and usually its a dishonest buck. Just don’t let it be yours! So, be forewarned.
Ray
I got one of these letters in the mail today also. Only contest I have registered for recently was at a Merrell outlet store – doubt that they would be connected with something like this.
I also received the letter from MADDEN HALL in the mail today. I am not calling them. Thank you for posting the information.
Also got the letter….also from Irwin. I smell a scam!
Got the letter today! Great info! Thanks!
Thanks to reading all of the responses regarding MADDEN HALL. The letter I received today from them will end up in my shredder.
Got a letter a few days ago as well in Northridge. I guess we all win! lol
My wife got the same scam letter in the mail today in east Tennessee, using the same Madden Hall dba.
I got the exact same letter today. States they “have attempted contacting” me “several times” (NOT).
After re-reading the letter, it does not state I have won anything – it says I ave “qualified for an award.”
I then looked at the website and found that the company specializes in setting up promotions using gifts to entice customers. I will not reply . . .
PS – Google search wanted to send me to the (John) Madden Hall of Fame. I wonder what he thinks of this scam . . .
As an afterthough – maybe I will call the number . . . using my fax set on auto-redial!
I received the same letter today in East TN. These people! AH!
I got the same one today in Ohio.
Same scam letter sent to me in South Carolina! Interesting that they hand-write addresses vs. a more efficient approach(via computer). You have to give them credit for consistency as it was EXACTLY as you all have commented (AZ postmark, J. Bell signature, etc.)
P.S. In viewing the photo-copy attached, I meant to say it was signed J. Ball (of course the signatures don’t match the one posted). I do have to wonder how many have fallen for this!
I got the same one in Ohio, too! Get this – they used my fiance’s last name. I’m not married yet, but it was addressed to me with his last name. That really made me doubt this letter.
Got one addressed to my parents’ house with my maiden name…weird and random. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
The hand written address got me to open the letter: nice ploy, guys. At first I was confused as my husband and I are trying to collect frequent flyer miles for a trip next summer- wondered if this was somehow related.
When it didn’t say anything about how on earth I qualified for this award, I went to their website. It is massively vague and just talks about “awards” for their “clients”.
I figure I”ll use these tickets to go visit that poor millionaire widow in Africa who keeps sending me e-mail.
Add me to the list of recipients in Ohio. SHREDDED!!!
Received in So. California! I get similar letters and postcards a couple times a year. They all share the same vagueness. I wouldn’t be surprised if they are all from the same scammer.
I usually like to Google the name of the company to find out if anyone else is receiving this crap. This blog post the first page listed under a ‘Madden Hall scam’ query. Thanks for writing about this Brian. Nice work!
2nd time i’ve received this letter.
Although the phone number is different,
866 970 9807, the rest is identical.
“Qualified” vs “Won”….. BIG difference.
Shredded.
They are at work in So Cal again. I think a Postal Inspector might like this one. Thanks for the info.
Kim
Got the same letter in the mail today. My husband got one a while ago…i hate this crap. Wonder if there some legal authority I can send it to…Hmm…anyone know?
Mrs. B
So.California
Geez two in one day. I also got mail for a Hawaiian Vacation from Ultimate Vacations. I looked them up, and it’s a scam too.. LAME!
Mrs. B
So. California
Got mine today, Western Pennsylvania. I’ll bet addressing and sending these is a “home based business” for someone with a kitchen full of form letters, envelopes and a direct mail list. Thanks to the internet for ability to flush out junk like this within seconds of an inquiry.
So…the conclusion is that all is a scam….but “did” anyone ever call?….just out of curiousity? What is their benefit? They were quite clever in the mailing, I will give them that.
Got same scam letter today- at least post office benefits.
I got one today in East, TN, the letter just screamed scam because of the address written in short hand, and the crappy stationary. I checked out their website and it’s so fancy, it does not match the stationary.
Got my letter a few weeks ago and the deadline to respond was July 14th and I was calling on the 15th and the gentleman said that’s alright I will put an extension on it. Made an appointment to go visit the place for my tickets, supposedly, but in the meantime talked to my sister-in-law and she jumped on the computer and said looks like this is a scam, so I will not be keeping my appointment.
Thanks to all who have looked into this letter.
Thanks for writing! If you read the BBB’s website, you’ll see what you’ve missed!
I received the same letter in the mail yesterday. I called the # @ 7:30 a.m. and heard a British accented voice telling me to leave a message… All very vague, definitely a scam.
I also got one here in East Tennessee. I guess we are their latest target. The Tucson link seems to hit the nail on the head.
I received one today in the mail, I will be posting to the bbb SW,PA
Also rcv’d the same and my wife called. They want us to come in for a 90 min presentation.
My wife was told that she would have to pay the tax on the airline tickets. I wonder if this is how they get their money is through this tax?
Anyways my wife signed us up for an appointment to see what this is all about!!!!!!!!!!!
After reading the BBB Tuson report, we are canceling our appointment pronto!!!!!!!!!!!
Another scam so don’t waste your time and emotions on people like this….!!!!!!
I received one yesterday-signed Brittany Dale.
I didn’t age qualify, to go to the 90 minute talk in Valencia,CA. but I would still get the tickets if I gave them referral, I would still get the free tickets and if they went to the seminar I would get free hotel accomadations.
It would be fun! You could report back here as to what it is like..
Oh, and it’s standard to need to pay tax on any winnings, so that’s not part of a scam.
i got one today and right away knew its some kind of a scam, actually took my time to call them and told them that im calling just to tell them to go f..k themselfs
We just got one today, too, but under the name “Hamilton Gates” with the signature “Brittany Dale [B. Dale].” Other than that, and a slightly different phone number, the letter, including the LETTERHEAD, is exactly the same.
Me, too! http://69.6.215.248/?p=233
My husband and I have tried these “just come to our 90 minute seminar on timeshares” things before and it has always ended up costing more than it’s worth to have – isn’t there an episode of “South Park” like this? 😉
I Just received a letter today. Mine is from Hamilton Gates, Same letterhead/paper as the Madden Hall letter. I’m in East TN. Yes, E. TN must be the new target. SHRED!
Our letter looks EXACTLY THE SAME- BUT IT IS FROM HAMILTON GATES.I can tell you this is most likely about a time share. We tried out a similar promise for airline tickets years ago. We made it through the excruciating hopped up on uppers sales guy withoug buying anything and they did eventually issue us some travel vouchers. but we never used them. I have a relative that tried working for a time share sales co and there main goal is to make you so uncomfortable that you buy just to leave. THey even try to keep you from using the bathroom. NOT KIDDING. Be ware….
Suzanne and Samantha,
Thanks for letting me know. I actually got one of those, too! http://69.6.215.248/?p=233
Just recieve a leter from Hamilton Gates. I gave it to my brother and aksed him if it was legit. He said it was because it had a website! He, like many others, think things are legitimate if they have a website.
I just received the same letter but it was from MADDOX WRIGHT the handwritten address and the stamp etc..
Just got one today too; signed by a RENEE JOY.. Very fishy because I never signed up for any promotions. Glad I found this site that talks about the scam. Anyway, someone who knows how to hack websites, should hack the MORGANSTANFIELD.COM site and put ups WARNINGS all over.. Also, wouldn’t this mailed letter some how constitute mail fraud??
I received one these “Anderson Pratt” letters today, saying I won airline tickets and this is their last attempt to contact me.
It was signed by T.Rose How can these be stopped?
Audri
Got an identical letter today in the mail with the company name “anderson pratt” signed by “Tina Rose” I knew it was a … as soon as i opened it. I think i will call, lead them on for a while, pretend I don’t understand what their saying, then put them on hold and see how long they will wait……record time i have so far for a telemarketer is 7 minutes……maybe we can set a new record!
I just rec’d the same letter in Nashville, TN using the same stationary & “come-on,” but from “Anderson Pratt” at the website listed above and a “Tina Rose” who signed the letter.