Entering online sweepstakes can be fun and exciting. There is the thrill of entering, and the anticipation as you wait to hear if you won clothes, money, cash, products or even something as big as a dream vacation. While we’d like to believe that every contest we find online is made in good faith, the truth is that there are a lot of scams out there, and if you aren’t careful you could lose time, energy, money or even your identity to fraudulent sweepstakes posing as honest events. Here are some of the main ways you can keep yourself safe:
- Never provide your social security number to an online contest for any reason. This is one of the main signs of identity theft.
- You shouldn’t have to pay to enter a contest. Often, the contest is fake and this is just a way to get your hard-earned money.
- Keep your banking information personal at all times. It seems obvious enough, but sometimes the contest will ask you for your bank information under the ruse that they will wire you money if you win. Never give this out before you’ve won, and after you’ve won, ask for a check unless you are certain that the contest is honest and fair.
- Don’t respond to free email addresses. If the contest emails are coming from a general domain like @gmail.com instead of @contestname.com, it’s possible that it is a phishing scam. Most major contest communication will come from an official email address.
- If you’ve been told you won a contest you never entered, it is most likely a scam.
If you keep these tips in mind while entering online sweepstakes, you are less likely to fall victim to fraudulent activities and scams. Always use your best judgement, err on the side of caution, and of course, have fun.