Prize draws and sweepstakes
The scam
You receive a notification by post, email, phone call or text message telling you that you've won a 'guaranteed' prize in a prize draw or sweepstake - without even having entered. You just have to pay a 'processing' or 'administration' fee, or order a product, to get your prize or collect your winnings.
You're told you have to respond quickly to claim your prize or winnings. You may also be asked to call a premium-rate phone number or to provide personal or financial information for 'identification'.
This is a scam. In most cases, you're only being offered the opportunity to enter a prize draw or sweepstake with a very limited chance of winning. This may be mentioned somewhere in the small print - along with the fact you could enter for free without paying the fee.
Anything you do 'win' is usually worth far less than the requested fee. And once you respond to one bogus promotion, your name will be put on a 'suckers list', and you'll receive lots more.
Every year, thousands of people fall victim to these kinds of fake prize draws and sweepstakes.
Protect yourself
- Be sceptical. Ask yourself how you could win a prize if you haven't bought a ticket.
- Remember that, if you have won something, you shouldn't have to pay anything to receive your prize.
- Don't dial premium-rate numbers (beginning 090) unless you know how much you'll be charged and you're sure you're willing to pay for it. Premium-rate numbers can be very expensive, and may be part of the scam.
- Never reveal credit card or bank account details unless you're sure who you're dealing with.
If you think you've been a victim of this scam, call Consumer Direct for advice on 08454 04 05 06.
Example scam
See what fake sweepstake and fake prize draw mailings might look like.
