Scam Spotlight: Fake Lottery Prize

A Wisconsin consumer recently told DATCP about a unique twist to the traditional lottery scam. The consumer received a package that was sent through USPS Priority Mail and required a signature. The package contained a letter that appeared to be printed on official letterhead from a legitimate lottery organization, and it claimed the consumer was gifted $1 million as part of a charitable initiative. All they needed to do to claim the prize was provide personal information.

At first, the consumer thought the package might have been from an official source. After all, why would a scammer spend more than $10 to send something via Priority Mail and require the recipient’s signature to deliver it? Thankfully, this consumer identified it was a scam because they hadn’t signed up for any “charitable initiative,” the letter asked them to keep their prize secret, and the claims were too good to be true. Instead of contacting the scammer, the consumer informed DATCP.

This scam was successfully prevented, but that does not guarantee future scams will be. Consumers should be aware that some scammers invest a lot of time and money into making their frauds seem legitimate. They are constantly adjusting their scams to trick more people. In this case, the $10 postage fee and signature requirement led the consumer to believe the letter was real. Even if a message seems real, the question should always be asked: “Is this too good to be true?” If so, it is likely a scam. Remember:

· Consumers can’t win a lottery they didn’t enter.

Real lotteries don’t ask winners to keep their prize secret.

· Scammers can use a consumer’s personal information to commit identity theft – so be suspicious of requests even for basic details like a name, address, or contact details.

Letters aren’t the only method scammers use. Consumers may also receive phone calls or text messages claiming they won a prize and should remember these tips:

· Slow down – scammers try to get consumers to act quickly by claiming their prize is a “limited time offer” or using other high-pressure tactics.

· Real prizes are free. Be suspicious if asked to pay taxes, shipping, or processing fees to receive a prize.

· Investigate before acting. Search online for the name of the company, contest, or prize, and include words like “complaint,” “review,” or “scam” to check what others are saying. Contact DATCP’s Consumer Protection Hotline to check if others are reporting the same offers.