Contests, Sweepstakes & Prizes
Have you received a notification in the mail claiming that you are a "finalist" in a sweepstakes or contest or that you are already a "winner?" If you have, you may want to know more about how to avoid becoming a victim of a fraudulent prize promotion.
What to look for
Prize Promotions
In every Prize Promotion, look for the rules.
Read the rules very carefully -- or else do not play! The rules must be easily understood and must contain:
- The retail price of the prize.
- The cost to participate, including any charges for taxes.
- The exact amount of any shipping or handling charges.
Sweepstakes
In Sweepstakes, you never have to pay to participate in a legal sweepstakes.
Look for:
- The odds of winning.
- The rules for entering without purchase.
Contests
In Contests, look for:
- The total number of rounds in the contest.
- Costs you may have to pay in order to win. For example, a contest for the "best" kitchen design may require you to pay to remodel your kitchen.
- The identity of the judges, and how they will decide whether you have won.
If you cannot easily find the requirements, then Do not play!
What to look out for
- Charges other than the cost of postage to participate in a sweepstakes.
- Implications that the promotion is sponsored by any government agency.
- Requests for your income, credit card ownership, or bank accounts as a condition of participating.
- Any advertisement that resembles a check, bill, or invoice.
- Unreasonable charges for shipping or handling.
- Any confusing or misleading information.
- False claims of non-profit sponsorship. Call the sponsor and check it out or call the Attorney General's Consumer Hotline.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Q: | Must the Sponsor of a sweepstakes or contest tell me how much the prize is worth? | |
| A: | Yes. | |
| Q: | A company sent me a mailing asking for money to play another state or another country's government-operated lottery. Is that legal? | |
| A: | No. State and federal laws make it illegal to send mailings asking for money to participate in a foreign lottery. | |
| Q: | A friend has spent thousands of dollars on sweepstakes. He is convinced he has won millions of dollars. What can I do? | |
| A: | It is very, very unlikely your friend has won anything of value. Tell him to stop playing immediately. Call our Hotline and request a consumer complaint form. Persuade him to return the form to us. | |
| Q: | A company asked for my credit card number to claim a prize. Should I give it? | |
| A: | No! It is unlawful for anyone to require you to give out your credit card number or other personal financial information to enter a sweepstakes. | |
