Skip to Content

Back to Blog

Lottery and Prize Scams

Have you been contacted by someone claiming to be from a government agency who says you’ve won a cash prize? Scammers may pretend to be government officials to get you to send money with the promise of an even larger prize. Don’t fall for it. Federal government agencies and federal employees will not ask you to send money to collect prizes.

Lottery or sweepstakes

Someone claiming to be a federal government employee may call to tell you that you’ve won a prize through a lottery or sweepstakes. They may even say that they’re calling from the nonexistent “Consumer Protection Bureau.” This is not a bureau, the real one if the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or CFPB. Some scammers may claim to be with the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Bureau of Consumer Protection. Others may claim to work for the CFPB or FTC, but neither of these agencies calls consumers to alert them of winning a lottery or sweepstakes.

If this happens to you:

  • Don’t give out your passwords, account or credit card numbers, or Social Security numbers.
  • Never make an up-front payment for a promised prize. If you’re told that you have to pay fees or taxes to receive a prize, it’s a scam.
  • Don’t fall for someone telling you that you need to pay immediately. For example, they may ask you to wire the money, send it by courier, or put the money on a prepaid card and send it to them. Once you send the money, it’s likely gone for good.
  • Don’t cash a check from someone that asks you to return a portion of the check to them. When the check bounces, you’ll have lost the money that you sent.
  • Ask yourself why someone is trying so hard to give you a “great deal.” If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

If you suspect a scam, there are a few important steps you should take right away

  • Contact your local police or sheriff’s office using their non-emergency number to report the scam.
  • Contact your state attorney general. Visit the National Association of Attorneys General website for the contact information of your state attorney general.
  • If the victim is an older person or a person with a disability, contact your local adult protective services agency. You can find your state or local agency that receives and investigates reports of suspected elder financial exploitation by using the Eldercare Locator or calling (800) 677-1116.
  • Put your number on the National Do Not Call Registry or call (888) 382-1222.
  • Take a look at other Ask CFPB questions about financial scams and check the FTC’s website to stay updated on the most recent scams.

Information provided by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.