Don't pay to win. Buying goods or services won't increase your chances of winning. Prizes are supposed to be free. You cannot be required to purchase goods or services or to pay fees to win or collect a prize.
	Keep your credit card and bank information to yourself. Never give your credit card number, bank information, or social security number to someone who claims it's needed to verify your eligibility or to "deposit winnings" in your account. No legitimate prize company asks for this information to declare you a winner. Ever.
	Don't send a company money for taxes. Only the government collects taxes on prize winnings. If you win a prize you have to send a check directly to the federal, state and local tax authorities. If a company tells you they need money to cover taxes before they will release your prize, say "goodbye." You haven't won anything.
	Check it out. Don't just assume that the company is who you think it is. To confuse consumers, fraudulent companies often will use names that sound similar to legitimate sweepstakes offers.

For more information, read the FTC publications on Sweepstakes & Prize offers.

If you need advice about a telephone solicitation or you want to report a possible scam, call the NFIC hotline at 1-800-876-7060. You can also ask questions or report fraud using our online forms.

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