Hundreds of dollars from an advertising company's yearly promotion are going unclaimed because people think it's fake.
It involves the coupon book ValPak that you get in the mail. Some of them have a check inside for $100.
Lia Jensen is Owner of the Grand Rapids-area franchise. She told WFMY News 2's sister Station WZZM, the checks are legitimate.
"There are three, $100 checks in the ValPak envelopes on a monthly basis."
The company started the giveaway, nationwide, three years ago. Out of 36 checks in 2017, only 7 were cashed in her area.
“That's some of the challenges we experienced and that’s why we're promoting it heavily," says Jensen.
This time around, ValPak added a special wrap that lets people know they are a winner. "We're rewarding them for opening up the envelope. We’re giving them surprises and offers. There are thousands of offers monthly."
The next set of coupons goes out April 7-10. If you are one of the lucky ones to find a check, Jensen says all you have to do is take to the bank, sign it and get it cashed. "There's no catch. None. We don't collect any info. It goes right into your account or pocket right then."
If you're still not sure, there is a phone number on the insert and an email address that you can go to for information and questions.
Valpak announced in December they would be rolling out the surprose check program in all markets in 2018.
A release on the company's website states: The $100 checks will be randomly placed in specially marked Valpak envelopes EVERY month in 2018 in all 150 Valpak markets in the United States. No strings attached, just $100 for consumers to use as they wish. The checks are made out to "Cash." No purchase is necessary. In Canada, winners will receive a voucher to exchange for $100.