Difference between revisions of "Prize and Contest Scams"
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{{ | {{Law-Related ESL Badge | ||
{{ | |lessonname= Scams to Avoid Lesson Module}}{{REVIEWEDPLS | reviewer = [[People's Law School]]|date= March 2017}}{{Scams to Avoid TOC}} | ||
| | "Congratulations! You have just won a free holiday in sunny Mexico!" Tempting, no doubt. But all too often, offers of a "free" prize turn out to be scams. | ||
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You | ==Fake lottery scams== | ||
You get a letter in the mail. "You have won a car!" In order to secure your prize, all you have to do is send a fee to claim the prize. The organizers sound legitimate, a hospital foundation, but you’ve never heard of them. You pay the fee. But you never hear from them again. | |||
This is a '''fake lottery scam'''. | |||
Often, there is no prize at all. Even if you do receive a prize, it may not be what was promised to you. | |||
In fact, legitimate lotteries do not require you to pay a fee or tax to collect winnings. | |||
As well, you cannot win money or a prize in a lottery unless you have entered it yourself, or someone else has entered it on your behalf. You cannot be chosen as a random winner if you haven’t entered the lottery. | |||
=== | ==Text message trivia scams== | ||
= | {{PLSStorybox | ||
| image = [[File:Headshot_-_Scams_to_Avoid_-_Bruce_-_2017.jpg|link=]] | |||
| text = "I got a text recently: 'Tell us who won the Stanley Cup in 1915 — and you could win BIG!!' I thought, 'I know the answer! It's the Vancouver Millionaires, the only time a Vancouver team has won.' So I texted back. They kept sending hockey questions. I couldn't resist answering. When I got my next bill, I had $150 in unexpected texting charges."<br>- Bruce, North Vancouver | |||
}} | |||
A text message from a number you don't recognize encourages you to take part in a trivia contest for a great prize. All you need to do is text back correct answers to a few questions. The first questions are easy. You’re encouraged to keep playing. To claim your "prize", you’re asked a question that is virtually impossible to answer correctly. | |||
In these '''trivia scams''', the scammers make money by charging extremely high rates for the messages you send and any further messages they send to you. | |||
=== | ==Preventing problems== | ||
[[File:Scams_to_Avoid_-_Contents3.png|thumb|275px|right| link=| <span style="font-size:50%;">Image via www.istockphoto.com</span>]] | |||
Here are ways to reduce the risk of being the victim of a prize or contest scam. | |||
===Examine any offer carefully=== | |||
Read the terms and conditions of any offer very carefully. Claims of "free" or very cheap offers often have hidden costs. | |||
===Don't pay to participate === | |||
Don't pay to enter a contest. Buying things won't increase your chances of winning. Don't call or text phone numbers beginning with 1-900 unless you are aware of the costs involved. | |||
== | ===Protect your personal information=== | ||
Never give your credit card number to someone who claims they will "deposit winnings" in your account. | |||
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