PRINCETON — ‘Tis the season for holiday giving, but unfortunately it’s always the season for scams.

Harold Bloch of Princeton said he may be 94 years old, but he’s not stupid. When he received a “check” in November for $4,685 from the United Global Logistics Inc. saying he was a second-prize winner in the USA Mega sweepstakes, he knew it was a scam. Before he could receive his $255,000 prize, Bloch would first have to send the company a check for $3,850.

Bloch didn’t fall for the scam. Instead, he went to the Bureau County State’s Attorney’s office and then to his bank, where the scam was confirmed. Bloch’s advice to others? Don’t do anything without checking it out first.