Lottery & Prize Scams
Congratulations! You've won a prize you never entered. Just pay the 'processing fee' or 'tax' to claim it. Variants impersonate real brands like Publisher's Clearing House or fake international lotteries.
How it worksThe anatomy of the scam
Every case follows roughly the same playbook. Recognize the pattern, stop it early.
1. You 'won'
A letter, email, or phone call tells you you've won a major prize.
2. Pay a small fee
Taxes, processing, customs — always something small to 'release' the winnings.
3. The fee escalation
More and more fees are required. Some victims are drained over months or years.
4. No prize
Nothing ever arrives. Some victims are then sold to 'recovery' scammers.
Warning signsRed flags to watch for
If you're seeing two or more of these, assume it's a scam until proven otherwise.
You didn't enter
You cannot win a lottery you never played.
Fees to claim winnings
Real lotteries deduct taxes — they don't ask you to pay them separately.
Told to keep it secret
Real winners can announce their prize freely.
Protect yourselfDo this. Not that.
✓ Do
Hang up or ignore the letter.
✗ Don't
Never pay to claim winnings.
✓ Do
Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov so the sender can be investigated.
✗ Don't
Don't give out bank details to 'verify identity' for a prize.
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