Contest Questions: How to Tell if a Contest Is Legit or a Scam
Look Out For These Major Warning Signs From Sweepstakes Scams
Is this contest real or a scam?
The Internet and the world of social media are great places for you to connect with different brands.
You have the chance to engage in fun giveaways and contests to receive fabulous prizes.
However, some giveaways might seem too good to be true. Perhaps the steps to participate are too easy. Maybe the company itself seems like a bit of a sham. In such cases, it’s advisable to steer clear to avoid falling victim to sweepstakes scams.
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See below for several ways on how to avoid sweepstakes scams and tools that you can use to ensure you’re engaging with credible brands who are running the contests for the right reasons. It’s always advisable to be informed about Common Contest Rules in Canada and How To Follow Them.
1. Find a Reputable and Legit Source
Imagine a hub where you could discover entertaining social media contests hosted by reputable companies. Instead of navigating the web’s potential scams, this site could serve as your go-to guide, helping you identify trustworthy giveaways worth your time and effort.
Fortunately, those types of sites exist! You are looking at one! 😉
On Contestscoop.com we share new giveaways daily and read the rules for you to save time, but we also pre-screen sweepstakes for our readers; you can read more about our publishing guidelines at About Us here
You can use Contest Scoop to find reputable giveaways with awesome prizes.
Discover the intricacies of each contest and the exciting prizes up for grabs. Our platform will direct you to diverse contest locations, including blogs and various social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. By relying on Contest Scoop as your guide, you eliminate the risk of stumbling upon scams independently. Enjoy peace of mind as you explore a multitude of contests online—you’ll be happy you chose us!
2.Never Pay to Play – Avoid Giving Credit Card Info
The thrill of winning a prize is universal! However, if the message suggests paying a “small” fee for shipping and handling before receiving your item, be cautious. Remember, you should never have to pay to receive a prize from a contest.
Numerous giveaway scams rake in millions annually by duping participants into paying to join or claim their “won” prize. Once you’ve fallen for it, retrieving your money becomes nearly impossible.
In the world of legitimate and user-friendly contests, you will find that participation is encouraged through various means other than payment. This could include tasks such as sharing their page, reposting their content, or referring friends.
Regardless of what the “company” claims the payment is for, never disclose your credit card information. Whether they mention shipping fees, sweepstakes taxes, or any other reason, avoid providing this sensitive information.
For readers in the US, sweepstakes taxes are paid directly to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If a company insists on handling the payment on their behalf, it’s a clear indicator of a potential scam. Stay vigilant!
3. Red Flag – You’ve Never Heard of the Company
There are many ways sweepstakes scams will try to get in touch with you to try to trick you. This could be through email, cold phone calls, or even DM-ing you through your social media accounts.
If you’ve never heard of the company claiming you’ve won a prize, ignore the message and report it to the social media site.
In Canada, you may also want to visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, which lists some recent scams and frauds. A similar site in the US to browse would be the www.fraud.orgsite.
If you’re an avid participant in numerous contests, consider maintaining a list in a notebook of all the different sweepstakes you enter. This way, if a contest doesn’t match any on your list, you can recognize it as a potential scam attempt to gather your information. Stay vigilant and keep track!
4. Watch Out For Free Email Accounts
Navigating this can be tricky, as some small businesses opt for free email accounts (like Yahoo and Gmail) to cut costs. You might legitimately receive an email from a small business’s Google account notifying you of winning a prize in a valid contest. However, be cautious—scrutinize the email’s headline, email address, name, and template for signs of common scamming practices.
If the sender claims to represent well-known companies like Wal-Mart, Patagonia, or Nike but uses a free email account, it’s a red flag for a scam. Scammers may subtly alter the email address to deceive you; for instance, an email claiming to be from Contest Scoop might actually read “[email protected].” Did you catch the difference? Adding an “s” at the end is a tactic scammers use, and surprisingly, many people fall victim to this each year. Stay vigilant!
5. Scammers Will Pressure You to Act Fast
I will check my emails and social media DMs daily because, let’s face it, timing is crucial when claiming a prize from a contest you’ve won. However, a reputable company will never insist on a rapid response for the required information.
In a legitimate scenario, if you’re not prompt in your response, the contest organizer will simply move on to the next eligible winner on their list. They won’t pressure or rush you for the necessary details.
If a sweepstake asserts you’ve won a prize but aggressively pushes for your information, consider it a clear indication of foul play. Swiftly stop all communication with them to protect yourself.
Avoid Sweepstakes Scams With These Valuable Tips
Now that you have seen several key indicators that you’re dealing with sweepstakes scams be sure to use them to your benefit.
Be sure to visit this page to learn more about the different sweepstakes and giveaways that are going on both in Canada and the United States.
For more inquiries, please be sure to reach out via our contact us page and we will be happy to assist you further.
