Scam awareness
"You've won!" prize and lottery scams
You're told you've won a prize or lottery — but first you must pay a fee or share details.
Reviewed September 2026
Warning signs
- You're told you won a lottery or sweepstakes you never entered.
- They say you must pay "taxes," "fees," or "shipping" before you can collect.
- They ask for bank details so they can "deposit" your winnings.
- They want secrecy and speed.
What to do
- Remember the rule: a real prize never asks you to pay to receive it.
- Don't pay any fee and don't share bank details to "claim" winnings.
- Hang up or delete the message. You did not lose anything by ignoring it.
A real example
A letter told Ruth she'd won a foreign lottery, but needed to wire a 'processing fee' first. There was no prize — only a scam to take her fee.
If it already happened
- If you paid a fee or shared bank details, call your bank right away.
- Report it so others can be warned (links below).
Reassurance: being targeted is not your fault, and it happens to careful people every day. Acting quickly helps.
If you have to pay to receive a prize, it isn’t a prize — it’s a scam. Genuine winnings never require an up-front payment.
Report it or get help