Fraud & Scams

Think Twice: Did You Really Win the Lottery?

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By

Jenny Leight

July 14, 2026

Receiving a message that says you've won a lottery, sweepstakes, or prize can be exciting, but it may be a scam.

Lottery scammers often contact people by phone, email, text message, social media, or even regular mail claiming they've won a large cash prize. They ask for payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency—methods that are difficult to trace and nearly impossible to reverse.

How the scam works

• The win arrives unannounced. A call, letter, or message says you've won, sometimes from an official-sounding name like the "National Sweepstakes Bureau."
• A fee stands between you and the prize. You're told to pay "taxes," "shipping," "customs," or a "processing fee" before the winnings can be released.
• The fees keep coming. Once you pay the first one, walking away means losing what you've already sent, so a second fee appears, then a third. Each feels like the final step before the payout.
• They pick payment methods that can't be undone. Gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, all nearly impossible to trace or reverse.
• Sometimes they send you a check first. It's meant to "cover fees." You deposit it, wire part of it back, and weeks later the check bounces, leaving you on the hook.

Remember

• Real prizes don't require upfront payments. If you have to pay money to collect winnings, it's a scam.
• No one can charge you to improve your odds. Charging you to enter or to boost your chances is illegal, so anyone asking is a scammer.
• You cannot win a lottery you never entered.
• A foreign lottery is always a red flag. It's illegal for U.S. residents to play one, so anyone offering is not on your side.
• No legitimate prize requires your Social Security number or bank account to "release" it.

What You Should Do

• Stop communicating with the sender
• Do not click links or open attachments
• Do not send money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers
• Do not share banking, credit card, or personal information

If a prize notification seems too good to be true, it probably is. Take a moment to verify the claim before sending money or sharing personal information.

Want extra protection from scams and fraud? Try Carefull free for 30 days and see how easy it is to protect your family and your finances.

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Jenny Leight

Jenny Leight supports Business Development & Strategy at Carefull, the first financial safety platform designed to protect aging adults and their families from elder fraud, scams, and money mistakes.

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