Sweepstakes & Contests

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WHAT ARE THE SIGNS THAT THIS IS A SCAM?

You receive a letter, postcard, e-mail or telephone call announcing that you’ve won a prize in a sweepstakes, contest or foreign lottery, even though you don’t remember entering or competing. The communication tells you to contact a number or Web site to claim your cash or prize, where you are asked to supply personal information, including your social security number, your bank account information or your credit card information. You may be asked to wire money to pay for taxes or other fees to collect your winnings.

In some instances, you may be sent a check for the award proceeds along with instructions to cash the check and wire some amount for taxes or other fees.


 HOW CAN CONSUMERS PROTECT THEMSELVES?
Do not share personal information with strangers unless you’re absolutely sure they are reputable professionals. If you do not remember entering a sweepstakes or contest, be extremely cautious – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Do your research when considering interaction with any company or organization. Take advantage of the resources at Better Business Bureau (513-421-3015 or www.cincinnati.bbb.org), and make sure this business has a history of responsible conduct with consumers.

If you become uncomfortable interacting with any sweepstakes or contest representative on the phone, remember that you can always hang up and call back later. If their sweepstakes giveaway or contest prize is legitimate, it will be there when you call back. Do your research before you call back or supply any personal information. Ask the sweepstakes promoter for the name, address, phone number and other contact information for the sweepstakes promoter.

Do not wire funds in order to claim a prize. If you need to pay a fee, you did not win anything.

If you have been presented a check to cash and wire funds back, there’s a good chance that the check is counterfeit.

If you’ve been told that you’ve won a foreign lottery and need to pay money for taxes or other fees to claim your prize, take caution. Foreign lotteries are illegal.


HOW TO REPORT IF YOU'VE BEEN A VICTIM
Ohio Attorney General’s office: Many sweepstakes and contests result in identity theft. Always monitor your credit card and bank statements, your credit report and any other financial transactions, and immediately contact the Ohio Attorney General’s office (800-282-0515) if you think your identity has been stolen.

Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): If you believe you are the victim of an Internet crime, you may contact the IC3 at www.ic3.gov. The IC3 is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center. Complaints submitted to the IC3 cover an array of cyber crime and fraud schemes.

Local Postmaster: If the US Mail system was used in any way in the scam, call 1-888-877-7644 or go to www.postalinspectors.uspis.gov.

Better Business Bureau (BBB): You should also submit a complaint to BBB (513-421-3015 or www.cincinnati.bbb.org) to report the problem and to receive assistance with resolving the dispute.