Fake lottery, sweepstakes and prize scam：手法、警示信号与应对

Payment fraud · médio

A call, email or letter says you won a lottery, sweepstakes or prize, such as cash, a car or electronics, often from a contest you never entered. The caller sounds excited and eager to deliver the winnings, but first you must pay fees, taxes, shipping or insurance, sometimes with gift cards.

Variants use charity names, fake federal agencies or supposed FTC certifications. The Washington, D.C. Attorney General notes that participating in a foreign lottery is against federal law and that it is illegal to require any payment or purchase to enter a sweepstakes or increase your odds of winning.

Sinais / Signs

A prize from a contest you didn't enter
Fees, taxes or shipping to collect the prize
Payment by gift card or wire transfer
Notice of a foreign lottery win
Mention of a federal agency or "FTC certification"
Pressure to act fast

Prevenção / Prevention

Ignore prize notices for contests you didn't enter
Never pay to collect a prize
Don't give bank details to whoever announced the prize
Hang up if you feel pressured or get evasive answers
Confirm directly with the official organizer

O que fazer / What to do

Stop paying and cut contact
Notify your bank or the gift card company
Report it to the FTC and your state attorney general
If it came by mail, notify the U.S. Postal Inspection Service

FAQ

Do I have to pay taxes before receiving the prize?

An upfront payment to release a prize is a classic sign of a scam, according to the FTC and the D.C. AG.

I won a lottery from another country. Can I take part?

In the US, participating in a foreign lottery is against federal law, according to the D.C. AG.

D.C. Office of the Attorney General - Consumer alert: sweepstakes and lottery scams · FTC - Fake prize, sweepstakes, and lottery scams