Don’t Get Played In Contest Fraud and Money-Winning Scams
Winning a contest, lottery, prize, or sweepstakes could seem like a lucky break. Unfortunately, not all such valuable ventures are legally recognized; some are outright scams. Here’s what to watch for when assessing the information:
- Participation is free and does not require you to pay or buy anything to increase your odds of winning
- Complies with legal requirements to inform you:
- that entering is free
- what the prizes are
- the value of the prizes
- the odds of winning the prizes
- how you can redeem a prize if you were to win one
- Only claims you’re a winner if you have actually won a prize
- May include a fake check but clearly marks it as “non-negotiable” and as having “no cash value”
- Implies that an additional payment will increase your odds of winning
- Request for a fee, tax, or shipping and handling charge (sometimes in the form of wired money, cash, gift cards, or cryptocurrency) to claim your prize
- Requirement that you provide your personal or financial information to receive your prize
- Seems very plausible; may even use recognizable names of companies, organizations, or government agencies to gain your trust
- Creates a sense of urgency so you’ll act now
Extra watchouts to keep in mind:
- Bulk mail winnings—Winner announcements sent via bulk mail are likely to be fraudulent
- Foreign lotteries—It is illegal for US citizens to play, win, or help another person win a foreign lottery
- Promo codes—Online discount codes can be helpful, but not if you have to reveal sensitive personal information (such as your social security number or banking information) to get them
- Clickable links—Links sent to you in emails or texts messages are quick ways for scammers to send your malware that can steal your personal information from your device. Delete the message without clicking on links.
If you believe you have been a victim of an unethical contest, lottery, or sweepstakes, please call SCU at
(888) 599-2265, chat with us in our Online Banking portal, or visit What To Do if You Were Scammed | Consumer Advice (ftc.gov) for more information.
For more information on contests, prizes, and lottery scams, please visit:
Common Scams to Avoid
The Fake Check Sweepstakes Scam
Fake Prize, Sweepstakes, and Lottery Scams | Consumer Advice (ftc.gov)