Congratulations! You’re Our Grand Prize Winner (Again)
The e-mail sure looks official. It is from the UK Grand National
Lottery (UKGNL) Headquarters, includes a detailed Ref. No. and a Batch
No., and states that it is the FINAL NOTIFICATION TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE
MONEY OF ONE MILLION DOLLARS! Even more exciting, it notifies you that
your prize money is available for collection and has been deposited
with a financial security firm. All you need do is (1) "keep this award
from the public until your claim have (sic) been processed and your
money remitted to you" and (2) e-mail your claims agent, MR. LEE JONES
at UKGNL for processing and remittance of your prize money.
So far, so good, right? Wrong! Those consumers who do e-mail their
claims agent receive a request to forward $530 to open up an online
bank account with the financial security firm to use to "transfer their
winnings." Eventually, the claims agent also requests private
information, including the winner’s social security number, bank
account and credit card information to “use for credit checks” and
other personal financial details.
This is just the latest among scams that target people who permit
themselves to be swept away by dreams of free money. Some offers arrive
via computer; others enter the home through direct mail or the
telephone. In addition to phony sweepstakes announcements, Better
Business Bureaus report that consumers are receiving
-
suspicious foreign lottery solicitations (from Australia, Canada, Spain
and other countries) advising winners to send money orders for hundreds
of dollars;
- notifications
of cash awards from international security firms or disbursement
offices that demand payment up-front to cover entry, judging or postage
fees; and
- phone calls from people claiming to be
representatives of reputable retailers, who want to "reward" loyal
customers with special gift certifications or cash cards, after payment
of a delivery fee.
Everyone loves to be a winner, but the BBB cautions consumers not to
allow enticing dollar signs to obstruct common sense. If you receive a
phone call, letter, or e-mail announcing that you have won a
sweepstakes, a lottery or prize award, remember these tips:
-
Are you being directed to wire money, provide access to your bank
account or credit card numbers, or forward any personal financial
information in order to claim your sweepstakes or lottery winnings?
This is an attempt to steal your money or identity, by a person
masquerading as a sweepstakes or lottery official!
- Legitimate
sweepstakes companies do not require you to pay taxes, customs fees,
shipping or handling, or any other fee before awarding your winnings.
And, they are prohibited by U.S. law from requiring that you buy
something to enter a sweepstakes contest or to receive sweepstakes
mailings.
- Did you ever actually enter the company’s sweepstakes? Chances are, you did not!
- Read
the fine print on any sweepstakes offer or entry form that you receive
in the mail. Usually is says something to the effect that you win, IF
your number is selected or IF your number is one of the winning
numbers. You have not yet won anything!
- Do not be
deceived by seals, official-sounding names, or terms that imply
affiliation with or endorsement by a government entity, here or abroad.
It is illegal for a promoter to misrepresent an affiliation with a
government organization or other well-known organization.
- If
you have truly won a prize, whether it is a cash card, gift certificate
or product, there should be no redemption fees, postage fees, delivery
fees, or other conditional rules to comply with in order to receive
your prize.
- Responding to just one foreign lottery ticket
or one fraudulent sweepstakes notice or one prize award solicitation
can open the door to many more bogus offers. Ignore all such offers!