Scam type

Prize, lottery and sweepstakes scams

In a prize scam, a caller says you’ve won a lottery, sweepstakes or car, but must first pay «taxes and fees». The payments never end, and victims are told to keep it secret. If you have to pay to collect a prize, there is no prize.

How the call works

The caller names a famous sweepstakes and a huge prize.
You must pay taxes or fees before the prize is delivered, often in cash sent by courier or shipping service.
You’re told to keep it secret, sometimes that «the FBI is recording the call».
The demands grow and can go on for years.

How it often sounds

«Congratulations, you won $22 million and a car. Just pay the taxes and fees first.»

Typical lines described by officials and news reports.

Red flags

Paying to collect a prize
Secrecy
Cash sent by courier or shipping service
Calls that keep coming with new fees

What to do

Never pay to collect a prize.
Tell a family member about any prize call.
If calls keep coming, block the number or change the phone number.

Real cases

Scam caseFake Publishers Clearing House Call: How a $22 Million “Prize” Cost a Woman Her HomeA caller posing as Publishers Clearing House told a 73-year-old woman she won $22 million. She sent over $600,000 in “taxes and fees.” Here is how it worked.

Questions

Do real sweepstakes charge winners fees?

No. Real sweepstakes never ask winners to pay to collect a prize.

Why do prize scams last so long?

Each payment is followed by a new «fee». Scammers call again and again, and victims are told to keep it secret, so family often finds out late.