Connecticut family soda business scammed out of $100,000
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Connecticut family soda business scammed out of $100,000
The family that runs Hosmer Mountain Bottling is speaking out about the devastating way criminals took advantage of them. Their brother bill says he was told he had won $5,500,000 from Publisher’s Clearing House, and that he needed to verify his employment. He was told to write void on the check. The void became Viola Smith, and Viola proceeded to cash her check. This was a scam. The family wants people to be aware so that more people are not taken advantage of. They may never get their money back, but this has made things uncomfortable.
Tonight, the family that runs Hosmer Mountain Bottling is speaking out about the devastating way criminals took advantage of them.
Not much has changed since Hosmer Mountain started in the early 19 hundreds.
Andrew’s father bought the family soda business in 1958.
They run a successful business selling locally made sweet drinks all over CT and Massachusetts.
But something happened that has put a bad taste in everyone’s mouth.
“The red flag was when the girl that helps me with finances told me there was a check withdrawn for $49,550,” said Andrew Potvin, Hosmer Mountain Bottling Company.
That was the first check. Then, another one appeared for the same amount.
Andrew had no clue what these were for at first.
“There was a note from my brother saying he had sent a check to verify employment for publishers clearing house,” Andrew said.
Their brother bill says he was told he had won $5,500,000 from Publisher’s Clearing House, and that he needed to verify his employment.
He was told to write void on the check.
“The void became Viola Smith, and Viola proceeded to cash her check,” Andrew said.
Bill didn’t win anything. This was a scam.
The scammers went as far as sending him a check for $5,500,000, but it was fake.
“I couldn’t believe it. I know Bill is kind of gullible, but to send a company check, a signed company check, is beyond belief,” said Chuck Potvin, Hosmer Mountain Bottling Company.
“Since 2018, Publisher’s Clearing House has been on BBB’s list of top impersonated scams. Last year it landed at number one,” said Kristen Johnson, Better Business Bureau.
Losing $100,000 won’t put them out of business, but this has made things uncomfortable.
They’re all worried about their brother Bill, and their feelings about the family business have soured.
This is what they want you to know.
“How cruel and dishonest. There are people out there that are just cockroaches. Just terrible people, and they take advantage of people that are getting older,” Andrew said.
Andrew met with Willimantic police today. They say this is an active investigation.
They may never get their money back, but the family wants people to be aware so that more people are not taken advantage of.
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Source: https://www.wfsb.com/2025/06/17/connecticut-family-soda-business-scammed-out-100000/