Lottery / Prize Fraud

Victims receive a letter, call, email, or social media message claiming they have won a lottery, sweepstakes, or prize. To collect the winnings, they are told to first pay taxes, fees, or customs charges — money they will never recover, because the prize does not exist.

Warning Signs

You are told you won a contest you do not remember entering.
Collecting your "prize" requires paying upfront fees, taxes, or processing charges.
The notification arrives by unsolicited email, text, or social media message with poor grammar or spelling.
You are asked for your bank account number or Social Security number to "deposit" winnings.
The offer creates urgency — you must claim within 24–48 hours or the prize will be forfeited.

Immediate Steps

Stop all contact with the supposed lottery representative — do not call back or reply.
Never pay any fee to collect a prize. Legitimate lotteries and sweepstakes never require upfront payment.
Do not provide any personal or financial information.
Research the organization independently — look for official websites and verified contact information.
Report the scam to the FTC and the postal inspection service if you received a mailing.

Report & Get Help

AARP Fraud Helpline (free, confidential): 1-877-908-3360