What are red flags of a fake sweepstakes or lottery win?
You didn't enter or you can't remember entering
If you receive a message saying you won a lottery or sweepstakes you never entered, it's almost certainly a scam. Legitimate sweepstakes require you to opt in. Some scammers claim you were 'automatically entered' through a purchase or survey, but that's not how real promotions work.
Also be wary if the prize is from a foreign lottery. It's illegal to play foreign lotteries by mail or phone in the U.S., and scammers often pose as international lotteries to avoid detection.
You're asked to pay fees or taxes upfront
Real prizes never require you to pay a 'processing fee,' 'insurance,' 'taxes,' or 'shipping' before receiving your winnings. Taxes on lottery winnings are paid to the IRS directly, not to the lottery. If someone asks for payment via gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency, it's a scam.
Some scammers send a fake check and ask you to deposit it and wire back a portion. The check will bounce, and you'll be out the money you sent.
- You must pay a fee to claim your prize
- You're asked for your bank account or Social Security number
- The notification comes via text, email, or social media
- You're told to keep it secret
- The prize is from a lottery you never entered
Pressure to act fast and unusual contact methods
Scammers often create urgency, saying the prize expires in hours or you must claim it immediately. They may also contact you through unofficial channels like a personal email address, a text from a random number, or a direct message on social media.
Legitimate sweepstakes sponsors usually have a professional website and official rules. If you can't find the promotion's official rules or the sponsor's contact info, it's likely fake.
Common mistakes
- Believing you won a lottery you never entered.
- Paying a fee to release a prize—legitimate prizes never require upfront payment.
- Giving out personal information like your Social Security number to claim a prize.
