Chris
Bluesprings,#2Author of original report
Tue, November 18, 2008
It's illegal for a company to require you to buy something or pay a fee in order to win or claim a prize. It's illegal for a company to even suggest that your chances will be better if you make a purchase. Don't believe that you have to give the company money for taxes on your prize, since they are deducted from winnings or paid directly to the government. It's illegal to use the mail or telephone to play lotteries across borders (national and state). No legitimate sweepstakes company will ask for your bank account number, credit card number or social security number. Do not provide it. Ever. Be wary of offers to send you an "advance" on your "winnings." It's an elaborate check-kiting scam. Most prize notifications are just marketing ploys to get your personal information or rip you off. Nothing's really freeyou're probably paying for it with your name going on a mailing list the company rents out. Free vacations aren't really free. You may be required to pay service charges or purchase membership in a travel club or attend a 2-hour sales pitch. Read what the FTC says about free vacations here. Joining a lottery "club" won't improve your chances of winning foreign lotteries. When you respond to a lottery solicitation, you identify yourself as a potential victim, resulting in many more offers for lotteries and other fraudulent money making opportunities.