Who: The FTC tracks prize and sweepstakes scams.
When to use: Use when someone said you won but asked for money first.
What to prepare:
- How they contacted you
- What they said you won
- Amount they asked for
Go to FTC ReportFraud~5 min
Category: Prizes & charity
Prize, sweepstakes & lottery scams
How it often plays out
A letter tells Paul he’s won a foreign lottery and must send $500 in “taxes” and “fees” to receive his millions. He sends the money; more “fees” keep coming. He never receives a prize. Legitimate sweepstakes do not require you to pay to claim winnings—any request for upfront payment is a scam. Once you pay once, more "fees" and "taxes" keep coming. The prize never exists.
How to spot it
Common red flags: pressure to act immediately, requests for payment by gift card or wire, offers that seem too good to be true, or unsolicited requests for your personal or financial details.
Do's and don'ts
Do
- Save any emails, letters, or phone numbers.
- Report to the FTC and, if you lost money, to IC3.
Don't
- Pay any "fee," "tax," or "shipping" to claim a prize.
- Believe that legitimate sweepstakes require upfront payment.
- Send money to "release" or "process" winnings.
Summary & what to do
You are told you won a prize or lottery but must pay "fees" or "taxes" to collect. Real prizes do not require you to pay upfront. Report to the FTC.
What to do right now
- Do not pay any "fee," "tax," or "shipping" to claim a prize. Legitimate sweepstakes do not work that way.
- Save any emails, letters, or phone numbers.
- Report to the FTC and, if you lost money, to IC3.
Where to report
Who: The FBI's IC3 handles lottery and prize fraud online.
When to use: Use when the scam was online and you lost money.
What to prepare:
- Emails or website
- Amount lost
Go to IC3~10 min