Prize
Lottery or Sweepstakes Scam
You're told you won a prize but must pay a fee or taxes to collect it.
How it works
A call, letter, or message says you won a lottery, sweepstakes, or big prize, sometimes one you never entered. To claim it, you must first pay taxes, fees, or shipping, often by gift card or wire. There is no prize. A real lottery never asks you to pay money to receive your winnings.
Warning signs
- You won a prize you never entered
- Must pay a fee or taxes before you can collect
- Asked to pay by gift card, wire, or cryptocurrency
- Told to keep the win secret until you pay
- Pressure to claim before a deadline
- Uses a well-known name like Publishers Clearing House
The newer AI trick
AI can produce official-looking award letters, fake checks, and personalized calls that use your name and city to seem real.
What to do
- Do not pay anything to claim a prize.
- Hang up or throw away the letter.
- Remember: real winnings never require an upfront fee.
- Tell a family member before responding.
If they are still on the line: Do not pay or share personal information. Hang up. If you have to pay to win, it is not a prize.
How to report it
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or 1-877-382-4357. Mailed prize scams can also be reported to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at uspis.gov/report. For elder-specific help, call the DOJ Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311.