How-to guide
Lottery and sweepstakes scams
A call, text, or email says you've won big — a lottery, a sweepstakes, a prize from a brand. The catch: you must pay a "fee", "tax", or "shipping" to claim it. Real prizes never work that way.
How prize scams work
- You "win" a contest you never entered.
- To claim, you must pay a fee, tax, or "insurance" up front.
- Or you must share bank details to "receive" the winnings.
- There may be a fake check that bounces after you send fees back.
The truth about real prizes
Legitimate lotteries and sweepstakes never require an upfront payment to release winnings, and you can't win a contest you didn't enter. Anyone asking for money or bank logins to "release" a prize is a scammer.
Frequently asked questions
Do real lotteries make you pay a fee to claim winnings?
No. Legitimate winnings never require an upfront fee or tax paid to the organizer. Taxes on real prizes are handled through official channels, not a gift card.
I gave my bank details to claim a prize — what now?
Contact your bank immediately to secure your account, watch for fraud, and report it to the FTC.