9,075
edits
Difference between revisions of "Prize and Contest Scams"
From Clicklaw Wikibooks
no edit summary
Drew Jackson (talk | contribs) |
Drew Jackson (talk | contribs) |
||
| Line 4: | Line 4: | ||
==Prize and contest scams== | ==Prize and contest scams== | ||
You are told that you "have won first prize" or that you "have won first place in a contest" | You are told that you "have won first prize" or that you "have won first place in a contest." The scammer will tell you that you've won something substantial (such as a large sum of money or a great prize) and that all you have to do is send them money to <span class="noglossary">claim</span> the prize. Or they may not even tell you what the prize is. | ||
Scammers use a range of ways to reach you. For example, a text message tells you that you could win a great prize by participating in a trivia competition by texting. The first message may even contain a very easy question to tempt you. | Scammers use a range of ways to reach you. For example, a text message tells you that you could win a great prize by participating in a trivia competition by texting. The first message may even contain a very easy question to tempt you. | ||
Some scammers use names that resemble official organizations or send an envelope announcing, "It's Your Lucky Day" | Some scammers use names that resemble official organizations or send an envelope announcing, "It's Your Lucky Day," or "You Have Won." Or they enclose what looks like a government cheque. | ||
===Facts=== | ===Facts=== | ||
*If you have to pay to receive your "prize", you haven’t won anything. | *If you have to pay to receive your "prize,", you haven’t won anything. | ||
*If you have to purchase products, provide a credit card or other <span class="noglossary">account</span> numbers, or send a fee in <span class="noglossary">order</span> to receive your prize, it is not a prize. | *If you have to purchase products, provide a credit card or other <span class="noglossary">account</span> numbers, or send a fee in <span class="noglossary">order</span> to receive your prize, it is not a prize. | ||
| Line 18: | Line 18: | ||
*You have to provide your credit card number to cover the shipping and handling fee, lawyer fees etc. or "taxes" to process your winnings. This may be for just a small amount — about $3 or $4. They want you to think, "It isn't much money, so why not risk it?" | *You have to provide your credit card number to cover the shipping and handling fee, lawyer fees etc. or "taxes" to process your winnings. This may be for just a small amount — about $3 or $4. They want you to think, "It isn't much money, so why not risk it?" | ||
*In a texting competition or a texting trivial scam, the scammers make money by charging extremely high rates for the messages you send and any further messages they send to you. | *In a texting competition or a texting trivial scam, the scammers make money by charging extremely high rates for the messages you send and any further messages they send to you. | ||
*You have to call a "900" phone number to find out what you have "won" | *You have to call a "900" phone number to find out what you have "won." If you call a 900 number you are paying for the call. | ||
*You have to make "a small purchase" (typically a few dollars' worth of small items such as pens, key chains, or light bulbs) to get the prize. | *You have to make "a small purchase" (typically a few dollars' worth of small items such as pens, key chains, or light bulbs) to get the prize. | ||
*You have to provide your credit card number or chequing <span class="noglossary">account</span> number for "verification" purposes. As soon as someone has your credit card number they can use it; they do not need to have your signature. | *You have to provide your credit card number or chequing <span class="noglossary">account</span> number for "verification" purposes. As soon as someone has your credit card number they can use it; they do not need to have your signature. | ||
*You have to send a certified cheque. | *You have to send a certified cheque. | ||
*You are pressured to buy "on the spot" because the prize is available for a "limited time only" | *You are pressured to buy "on the spot" because the prize is available for a "limited time only." | ||
===What you can do=== | ===What you can do=== | ||
