For many, the thought of winning the lottery or a large sweepstakes prize is a dream come true. An all inclusive trip somewhere coastal or a substantial sum of money is a prize we would all take willingly! Unfortunately, scammers know how enticing that sounds and often use a lottery/sweepstakes style scam to steal the money or identity of unsuspecting individuals.
Here are a few ways to recognize a lottery/sweepstakes scam and what you should do if you find yourself presented with one:
- Remember you cannot win a contest you did not enter – if you didn’t sign up for the lottery or sweepstakes, you did not win it!
- Many of these scams will require you to pay taxes, fees, or share very personal information before you receive your “prize” earnings. If you provide what they are asking for, the promised prize never comes, but your information or money has been stolen.
- These scams can come to you via email, social media promotion, text message, or the mail. It is important to stay vigilant always. Only respond or interact with individuals or merchants you know to be trustworthy.
- Before taking any type of action (even if you think the source is reputable) consult with your Financial Services Representative before responding to a lottery or sweepstakes offering. They are more than happy to help you identify if the merchant is real or a fraudster.
If you have additional questions about lottery/sweepstakes scams and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim, call our team at 406-587-5626.