Sweepstakes Scam

Sweepstakes Scams

This is a scam in which a company tells someone they have won a sweepstakes prize, but that the "winner" must first pay a fee to "insure" delivery of their prize. This is a scam that tries to convince you to give your money away.  Real sweepstakes contests never charge the winner for receiving a prize.

Report this scam to:

• The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at: www.ic3.gov/
• The United States Postal Service at:  www.postalinspectors.uspis.gov/contactus/filecomplaint.aspx or by calling 1-800-275-8777.
• The Federal Trade Commission at: www.ftc.gov/complaint or by calling 1-877-382-4357.
• Your local law enforcement agency.

 

Warning signs of a sweepstakes scam:

• Sweepstakes scams want you to pay to receive the prize.
• Sweepstakes scams tell you that you've won a contest that you don't remember entering.
• They will send you a large check with your win notice (this is a counterfeit check).
• They will instruct you to wire money by Western Union or to purchase a money pack card.   They will have you read the number on the money pack card.  Having to wire money to receive a prize is a sure sign of a sweepstakes scam.
• They could pressure you to act in a hurry.
• They may ask for bank or credit card information to receive your prize.
• The "Win" is from a lottery, especially a foreign lottery.
• They could pose as government organizations.
• The sweepstakes letter contains many typos.

Remember, legitimate sweepstakes require affidavits before sending out any prize valued at more than $600. Stay safe with Commercial Bank Michigan.