Before you respond
Prize and sweepstakes messages
Learn why prize, sweepstakes, and lottery messages can be risky when they ask for fees, taxes, gift cards, payment information, or quick action.
Reviewed May 31, 2026
Quick answer
A prize or sweepstakes message may be a scam if it says you won but must pay money or share account information to claim it.
Real prizes are free. Do not pay fees, taxes, shipping, or processing charges to receive a surprise prize.
What it may look like
"Congratulations, you won a new car. Pay the taxes today by gift card to release your prize."
Signs to slow down
- You do not remember entering the contest or sweepstakes.
- They ask for fees, taxes, shipping, customs, processing charges, gift cards, crypto, or a wire transfer.
- They ask for bank, card, Social Security, or identity information.
- They use a well-known sweepstakes or government-sounding name to seem official.
What to do next
- Do not pay to claim a prize.
- Do not share bank, card, Social Security, or identity information.
- Search the contest or company name with words like scam, complaint, or review.
- Use contact information you find yourself if you want to check the claim.
- Report prize scams to ReportFraud.ftc.gov if appropriate.
How Olevo can help
Olevo can give you a calm second opinion before you respond.
Paste the message or describe the call. Olevo can help you check the fee request, payment method, and pressure before you respond.
Trusted sources
Fake Prize, Sweepstakes, and Lottery Scams
Federal Trade Commission
FTC guidance says real prizes are free, and paying fees, taxes, or processing charges to claim one is a warning sign.
That random call saying you've won a prize is a scam
Federal Trade Commission
FTC 2026 guidance warns that callers claiming a surprise prize may demand fees before you can claim it.
Avoiding and Reporting Gift Card Scams
Federal Trade Commission
FTC guidance says anyone who demands payment by gift card is trying to scam you.
Common questions
Do real prizes require a payment first?
No. The FTC says real prizes are free. Paying fees or taxes to claim one is a warning sign.
What if the caller uses a company name I recognize?
Look up the real company yourself and verify through a trusted contact method, not the number from the caller.
Can prize scams arrive by letter?
Yes. They can arrive by call, text, email, social media message, or mail.