Lottery / PCH
Scammer calls you telling you that you won a large prize and you didn't enter.
How to Dodge Lottery Scams
Scammers love to dangle a fake jackpot in front of you: “Congratulations! You’ve won millions!” Then comes the catch! pay “processing fees,” “taxes,” or “shipping costs” up front. Send the money, and your prize vanishes into thin air (along with whatever you just paid).
A Real Close Call
“I received a call saying I’d won $2.5 million and a new Mercedes in the ‘International Sweepstakes.’ I never entered anything, but the guy sounded so official and excited for me. They told me I just had to wire $1,800 for ‘taxes and clearance.’ I was literally on the phone with Western Union when the agent asked, ‘Are you sure this is legitimate?’ That question saved me. I hung up, googled the phone number, and found pages of people who’d lost thousands to the exact same script. Bullet dodged.”
How to Stay Safe from the “You’ve Won!” Trap
If you didn’t enter, you didn’t win Legitimate sweepstakes and lotteries only contact people who actually bought a ticket or filled out an entry form. No entry = automatic scam.
Real prizes don’t come with a bill Genuine lotteries deduct taxes before you ever see the check. They will NEVER ask you to pay money upfront via wire transfer, gift cards, crypto, or payment apps to “release” your winnings.
Keep your wallet closed and your info private Never send money, bank details, Social Security numbers, or copies of your ID to claim a prize. If they push for any of that, you’re dealing with a thief, not a prize committee.
Remember: If it sounds like you hit the jackpot for free and they want cash to make it real, it’s 100% fake. Hang up, delete, or laugh in their face and move on.
I have literally done hundreds of PCH scam calls. This one is just the start of a long series with the same scammer over a 6 month period. You will see how relentless they are.
