ELYRIA, Ohio — Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC and Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC have issued a warning about a sweepstakes scam that has appropriated the companies’ identities.

The companies first learned about the fraudulent activities on March 24, when consumers began calling their headquarters to inquire about letters and checks they had received that were marked with the names, logos and addresses of both Bendix and Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake, a Bendix joint venture with Dana Commercial Vehicle Products, LLC. The parties responsible for the scam distributed award letters and fake checks to consumers through the U.S. mail, claiming that recipients were winners of a sweepstakes. The letter urged recipients to cash the enclosed checks and call a non-Bendix number to find out how to claim the remainder of their monetary prize.

"We want our employees, customers and consumers to know that this mailing is fraudulent," said Anthony LaPlaca, general counsel for Bendix. "Bendix and Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake are in no way responsible for, or associated with, this activity. Although these documents may appear to be authentic, it is important for the public to know that both the award letter and the check are fraudulent."

Bendix has already reported the fraud to the appropriate federal, state and local legal authorities. The company continues to respond to calls to its facilities throughout North America by recipients of the letters. The number of consumers who received the letters is unknown, but Bendix confirms that consumers from across the United States have reported receiving the fraudulent sweepstakes mailing. Recipients are not limited to those in the commercial vehicle industry in which the companies do business.

The fraudulent checks include both the Bendix and Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake logos and display the "Mellon Bank" name. Letters printed on fake letterhead for "Bendix Financial," a company that does not exist, accompany the checks. An example of the fraudulent sweepstakes letter is posted on the Bendix Web site at http://www.bendix.com.

Bendix advises recipients of the fraudulent mailing to follow these guidelines:

— Do not call the numbers provided in the letter.

— Do not attempt to cash the fraudulent checks.

— Alert your local authorities that you have received the fraudulent

mailing.

— If available, send copies of the fraudulent documents to Bendix for use in the investigation. Documents can be sent to the companies’ headquarters at:

The Mail Fraud Statute of 1872 made it a federal crime to use the U.S. Mail to further a scheme to defraud. According to U.S. Postal Inspectors, most victims of prize or sweepstakes fraud never report it to the authorities. Even so, inspectors report that nearly 2,000 suspects are arrested each year for mail fraud.

"Today, consumers need to be even more vigilant to ensure they are not victims of fraud," LaPlaca said. "We’re grateful that some savvy consumers brought this matter to our attention, giving us the opportunity to issue a warning about this scam. It is unfortunate that our companies’ identities are being used in this manner, and we hope consumers will question and research this scam before falling victim to it."