BOSTON -- What could be a better surprise than a letter saying there's money in a bank account just waiting for you?

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NewsCenter 5's Susan Wornick reported that it sounds like a dream, but it's really a scam.

Wornick heard about it from a woman on Cape Cod. She received a letter promising more than $400 that was addressed to her husband, and that quickly put up a red flag because he's been dead for 20 years. But there are other things about this that are telltale signs of a scam.

The form letter claims to be from a retired investigating attorney in South Carolina. He's supposedly certified in nine other states, and says he has information about $409.62 that he will deliver to the consumer for a fee of $100. The writer urges the consumer to act quickly because the government now has the right to seize this money. The letter writer even sends along a signed contract saying it's reassurance that this is no gimmick fraud or scheme.

There is no applicable government statute separating you from money that is legitimately yours, Wornick said. The letter writer doesn't list a phone number because he says he's too busy, and there isn't even one listed in directory assistance.

Legitimate attorneys don't usually put your telephone number on the envelope. Legitimate attorneys usually have listed telephone numbers, and all the alarms should always sound when someone says they have money for you but you have to pay up front to get it.

If you still need to convince yourself, tell the alleged money finder that you'll put his fee in an escrow account that you'll be happy to release when you get your cash.