This is one of the most common questions I get from people who are interested in sweeping as a hobby.
HOW DO I AVOID SCAMS?
3 Tips To Avoiding Online Sweepstakes Scams
1) Create an email address just for entering.
You can either use an additional one from your Internet Service Providers (ISPs) or a free virtual one such as Yahoo or Gmail.
2) Use software to protect your computer.
Whether you contest or not, you MUST protect your computer. The Internet Tools listed are some of the best and will protect you against various malicious online attacks.
3) Go to websites that list legitimate sweepstakes, contests, and giveaways to enter.
There are two types: hosts and aggregates.
HOSTS
A giveaway HOST is a site that frequently hosts their own giveaways. For example, most local radio stations have a contest page that is continually updated with new promotions that you can enter either by listening to, texting in, on an entry form,, or a combination of those.
AGGREGATES
A giveaways AGGREGATE bring together (aggregate) legitimate giveaways for you to enter in one place saving you time as they have vetted the sweepstakes. Plus, they have search features, and some offer organizational tools or community pages where you can connect with fellow contestors.
I have listed the most popular aggregates on my website to make it easier for you to find them, under Resources.
What do you do to avoid scams?
Hi i entered a contested via twitter called 1D golden tickets and i don’t know if it is a real contest. they told me i was a winner
Rigth off the bat, without doing any research it sounds like a scam. Only enter contests listed on legitimate sweepstakes sites.
Hi..I was told I won the 2nd prize for Floyd Mayweather giveaway. Now they want me to get a tax relief reciept for almost $500.
It’s fake. I recommend you use a sweepstakes aggregate to find legitimate giveaways to enter.
Hi I entered my 11 month old son in 2 different photo contests. I didn’t read what the winning prize was or bother to remember what the names of either were called. I just wanted to see what the response my drop dead gorgeous child would get. And today I got an email saying that my son had been selected to be in a larger contest along with a few other children. The prize was a $25,000 savings bond, advice from a modeling agent, a photo shoot, and his picture in a magazine. There is a $19.99 entry fee, and I’m wondering if this is a legitimate thing, or if it’s a scam. Everyone’s telling me I shouldn’t pay it but if this is a real thing I don’t want to pass this up.
My first reaction is this is a scam. Go back and read the rules. A legitimate sweepstakes will have proper rules, an agency you can contact, etc. Sweepstakes do not ask for a registration fee. Some contests do; such as the pie baking contest at the state fair, but my feeling is this promotion isn’t one that type.
We received a letter telling us that we won $25,000 from supporting police dogs where we donate to them. It said it was a binding contract and we would receive a check in the mail. Its been a couple months. Would you recommend looking into it?
The above post by Carolyn says $3 billion is $300 million. It is not. It is $3,000 million.
Thanks Paul for your comment, but the rule of thumb is Canada is we are 10% of the USA market, so $3 Billion spent in the USA would be $300 Million spent in Canada.
The sweeps I have entered online have been time-wasters at best. Even the so-called Publishers Clearinghouse sweepstakes has become a dud (“just play one more game and . . . .”). Still looking fpr the real deal with real, substantive prizes involved that are more than beer money or some trinket that I do not need.
Hi I entered a YouTuber giveaway. It’s a daily vlogger mom who is hosting the giveaway along with some other you tubers. I got a reply on YouTube saying I won. So I went ahead and emailed her. Then she said she needed my addresses and I said can you direct message me on Twitter or Instagram. That was to be sure it was her. Should I trust her?
I was told I was the winner of a Floyd mayweather sweepstakes I entered on Facebook. It says I need to pay $350 to get my claim receipt is this real?
It depends on the rules. Can you send me the official link?
New thing going on tiktok Nikki bella giving away stuff asked for a claimers recipe what it that?
No idea. I am learning TikTok myself to teach it in my new book. There are legitimate sweepstake son TikTok, but I do not know if that is one of them.
Hi my boyfriend and I attended bike week in panama city on a Friday night and while at a bar the waitress asked us to join a vacation give away so we did. Well sitting here webnsday night and he gets a call that he won the seven day all paid for 4 people vacation but at the end of explaining it he adds you have to pay a 498.00 “processing fee” . he gave us the names of the resorts we would be staying at and I’m thinking about calling them and see if they sponsored anything for the event but I honestly have no clue where to start resurching! I wouldn’t believe it if we hadn’t jus filled out for it.
I received a letter via First Class mail. I entered a couple sweepstakes a couple months ago. The letter says that they take all entry’s from 6 months prior and put them in a pot to win a drawing at the end of January and that my numbers (they gave me the numbers) won the second place prize of 30 thousand. They have sent me three letters the last said that they are given only so long after the winnings 3 months to have the winner claim the money. I was given 3 weeks after the date on the letter. They told me everything was free of charge to me and that after international taxes (I’m in North America they are based in London) from my government were drawn out they would send me a check. They gave me numbers one for there office here and one for in london to call. I’m trying to find the information on line but having no luck. Everything else passes grade but I can’t find much to confirm them online
I was told i won mayweather sweepstakes but i must pay $400 is this real?
What do the rules state? But my gut is telling me this is a scam. Read about what you may have to pay on legitimate wins here: http://contestqueen.com/2015/taxes-winnings/
I was on Instagram started following nikki bella she started talking back then told me I won here is the text ( Okay, Thank you for watching Wrestling over the years, I Nikki Bella just contract you to say CONGRATULATIONS!! From out of the WWE® Universe as this month lucky WINNER, By using our Instagram system as this month 1st place WINNER!! of a Certified Cashiers Check of $1000,000.00. One Million Dollars, and also, DODGE RAM TRUCK.. I would Like to say congratulations to you once again!!!) She then says I need to get a government approval tax relief claimer’s receipt? Is this legit?
Sadly, this is a scam.
I just got the same exact thing on Instagram. Only she goes by stephanienicole 133, claims I won 2nd place, a check worth $50,000 and a new Chevy Silverado. Also wants me to get a government approval tax relief claimer’s receipt. Or send her a money order for $388. Thanks to you I knew it was a scam, which I highly suspected anyways. The account is being deleted as I type this.
I JUST got this SAME message from Nikki Bella!
Just received a letter saying I won $100,000.000 this is after all tax been taken out and the prize was selected on March 19th 2016 the letter says if I don’t claim within 4 weeks from now my file will be closed no money request from me to pay anything and the payment will come from North America. And it says the draw was held in Oxford, England, the toll free number is 18442564101 I have the name for security reasons not to post is this true or just another scum
Daniel, this is an obvious scam. Check out the USPS website (or similar site for your country) and report the fraud. http://about.usps.com/publications/pub300a/pub300a_tech_024.htm
The toll free number is 18442564105
Do you know anything about Michael chitwood
NO. Please email me the details.
Does michael chitwood for pch or is he a scammer
I received texts a letter and spoke to a man on instagram .He said I needed to show a claimers receipt gor the 2.9million dollars I won from a contest I entered online from Floyd Mayweather jr. The address I looked up was in Vegas . It was from SCA promptions. I took the letter the texts everywhere a bank , the state treasurer, a lawyer and not one place knew what a claimers receipt was. The lawyer thought it may be real but wasn’t sure.I I did not lose money thankfully. I wasn’t even asked to pay money to get my winnings.
It sounds like a scam. If you are unsure, contact SCA Promotions directly and ask. I will bet they tell you that it’s FAKE. If it is real, you will get your prize.
I just received a letter from automated marketing management pmb 404 176-25 Union TPKE FRESH MEADOWS,NY 11366 saying I won. They have a picture of the check that I’ll get. But under where it says pay to the order. In parentheses if selected n they want me to send $20.00 for appointed fee. By 9/22/2016. Its for a large amt of money. But there is no phone# or email address. Just a home address. I can’t find the address nowhere on the internet. Is this legit?
It’s a scam. Delete the email. Throw away the letter. Hang up the phone. You never have to pay to receive a prize.
I got the same letter, but unfortunately I sent the 20 dollars bc I was so excited. Bc I thought im finally going to get out of debt and have a life for myself and my 3 boys. The letter just seems so real. My heart is broken right now. I can’t believe this happened.
Hi,
I had entered an Essie nail polish Summer shades contest on their web site and yesterday they sent me an email that I won ( 100 winners).
They sent a link for me to give them my info ( name and postal address to ship it), I entered all that info and saw a page with other people that won, the weird thing and I don’t know if it is because it was on my cell phone, I couldn’t see all the screen and read everything or the button to push “submit”.
I am no longer on Face book and noticed all the comments to thank Essie from winners were from Face book, so I didn’t submit my comment ( just my info).
Today, I receive another email from them telling me “oops, we are sorry” we sent you a winner email by mistake, but yo majebup for it, we entered you to a 100 shades collection contest” What??? They got my personal info, then they tell me I didn’t win??
They add a phone number for me to talk to them if I have any questions: 1-866-313-7845 Is this a scam? 🙁 I hope my personal info and address is not misused. I don’t want to call them, because this is supposed to be “Essie Canada” and why does it have an 866- area code number?
I hope you can help me and let me know what is this, because the email look legitimate.:(
Sorry, misspelled “make up for it”
Hi I was contacted by Sandra said she is with iccm and that I won a million and 20 thousand dollars she keeps insisting it’s real but she wants me to pay 100 dollars to receive them money + a 2015 car. Can u say if it’s real or a fake
It is FAKE. NEVER send money to receive a prize.
I recieved this yesterday! I religiously shared the “share this and financial goodluck will come to you” posts of michael chitwood on facebook. Yesterday i got a friend request from the “private facebook” of michael chitwood and then he started messaging me and asking what id do if i became a millionaire. He said that he had partnered with the iccm and the bbb. He said i was entered in a drawing and i had won $1 million, $50 thousand cash, and a 2015 kia sorento! He kept going on to tell me the laws and rules about my claim and congratulating me. Then it came down to them wanting a $4500 same day delivery fee that would be reimbursed to me upon their arrival. When i said i didnt have that kind of money, he said there were “other options”. Hes said for a 5 day delivery, i could pay $499.99. As i still dont have that kind of money, he asked how much i could come up with and when. I asked for him to call me as he previously got my name, address, and phone number. Next thing i know, a number from jamaica is calling me, so i answer. The guy claims to be with a claims agency, directed by michael chitwood to call me. As im explaining to him that i cant afford the “delivery fees”, i told him i would only be able to come up with $100, he said to get a money gram. Neither my fiancee nor myself, know how to get a money gram, more or less where to get one so i tried explaining this to him and he started getting nasty towards not only myself but also to my fiancee. I immediately said that i wanted to forfeit my “winnings” because he just wasnt being nice. All i kept thinking is that i made a mistake and i shouldve figured out how to do it. Im so glad that i got online and found your site! Now i am 100% reassured that i was about to get scammed!
I am glad you didn’t send them any money, as you are correct, it was a scam!
I got something similar to that but I havnt responded i fear it is a scam. He pm me asking if i was ready to receive my prize. The number 1 thing that stood out was spelling errors and grammar errors.
I have been contacted through Facebook saying I won an iccb giveaway. They say they need my address and phone number to process. Do you know anything about this?
Did you enter the contest? Was it a Facebook message or a tag?
Thankfulness to my father who shared with me on the topic of this blog, this web site is in fact awesome.
Do you know anything about Micheal chitwell? Giving away cars and money? Sending personal messages on Facebook of you winning but not to tell anyone
I have never heard of him and when I tried to search on the name, nothing came up. At any rate, it sounds like a scam to me.
I was contacted today by Michael chitwood through Facebook messenger claiming I won a million dollar Cashiers check, 5000 cash and a 2017 bmw. They preceded to tell me that I had to go to Western Union and send $359 and some change to a Meltania James in Brooklyn ny(which is a residence, I looked online). And I women called me from a blocked number, Indiana lady who said her name was Jane Smith ?. After asking for legitimacy on the prize claim all they could give me was a photo shop pic of my nick name on a check that said 1 million dollars and their word. Lololol I called the number on Michael chitwoods facebook page only to confirm with the really nice lady that answered that it was indeed a scam. Please don’t fall for this scam these people are relentless.
Have you heard of ICCM . im being told I won . im a homeless single mother and really need to know if this is real
No I have not. The key to knowing if it’s a scam is if they ask you to pay money to claim your prize. Ask them for a copy of the official contest rules and watch what happens.
This Michael Chitwood said I won and after seeing a few of the same messages on here this is what they sent me. They are texting me saying I contacted the wrong people because I called a number to verify. !!
It’s standard company’s policy that payments are made in advance of your Car being delivered to you, a sum of $499.99 should be paid before-and associated with your grant for the state-to-state taxes that is required to process your claim, Therefore agreement were made and you are eligible to recieve your funds upon delivery. .
All payments are to be made in cash or cashier’s check via, western union, money gram USP or USPS Express mail to a Financial Advisor.
Received this via messenger from Michael Chitwood (minister in Tennessee):
#1 Ok. The only reason why you have been contacted just now, is to have you properly notified that out 23,000 entries in the ICCM giveaways you are this month ruffled first place winner using our Facebook system as a lucky winner in the 1st category, and therefore attracted as a cash award payout of 1, million dollars certify cashiers check and $5,000.00 in cash and also a 2018 BMW we would like to say congratulations!!
I decided to react/redpond and after my thumbs up response:
# 2 We write to officially notify you of this award, and to advise you to contact your claims and processing immediately upon the receive of this notification, we all would like to say congratulations and now that you are a winner how are you feeling?
The next day after I inquired about a link needed to access. I got this:
#3 (What letter is going to request response) OK Please provide the required information for claiming and delivery:
•FULL NAME
•FULL ADDRESS
•PHONE NUMBER
these are the only information we require from our claimers in getting prize claimed your Information will be Kept strictly confidential, after your winnings is delivered successfully your info will be properly DISPOSED.
Followed up by:
#4 YOU must have a confirmation claimers receipt with your 10 MTCN Numbers of approval so that we can verify with the IRS that you’ve legally made a claim on to your prize.
4-5 days later, They sent a “Hello how are? query. I told them good, but hadn’t received letter yet. Got this response again :
#5 YOU must have a confirmation claimers receipt with your 10 MTCN Numbers of approval so that we can verify with the IRS that you’ve legally made a claim on to your prize.
When I inquired when it had been sent, so I could have someone check mail (while I was having some medical procedures) I got this:
#6 you can pick up your receipt at the western union or money gram at a refundable cost, please note this receipt can only be picked up by the winner and before you pick up this receipt you should receive a call from your assigned claims agent who will give you your merchant banker name and address!!!
Followed by:
#7 This receipt is at a refundable cost of $488.56 that will be reimburse/ refund back to you up on the arrival of your delivery at your doors so right now now you have absolutely nothing to worry about okay!!
And:
#7 So have you ever used the western union before?
I replied positively, but having $$$ right now was a problem until check comes.
They wanted to know about when SS canes next month? I receive disability that is paid on 3rd Thursday on the month. A concept they had difficulty grasping.
When I again told them I had been expecting a certified letter and questioned them about this being a scam, I got this:
#8 This is not a scam you have absolutely nothing to be worried about (plus a photo of Michael Chitwood standing in front of a white BMW with a pretty red bow)
#9 There is the car you will be receiving
Nice I responded.
#10 Yes it is a nice car
#11 Do you have a credit card?
I responded No!, so I guess this is not mine.
#12 Yes it is your
#13 But you do not have the funds that is required of you
I responded with a not until check came and received:
#14 OK
No response yet to my ? Ok no or ok until check comes?
This is clearly a scam. Do not send them any money and report them. Here is the link: https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
I would like to say to crystal c I to received the same message yesterday evening I won 2.5 million in a cashier’s check a brand new 2018 BMW and 5000 in cash all I have to do is go to Western Union pay 288.99 for a ticket to claim my prize well I know it’s a scam the min he asked me for money I told him to take the 300 out if my winnings if 5000 and then send me my prize I do not live on a government check I do have income however im a single grandmother raising two young grandchildren money is tight however I never entered any contest I never do I never know witch is true and witch isn’t don’t let them scam you out if the little bit of money that you so obviously deserve
This is definitely a scam. Do not send them any personal information or money.
Hello, mr.michael chittwood message me in instagram said that i won $350,000 teo of his books plus bunos prize and he asked me for my personal informations like names address zipcode , and he also asked me if i have a bank account because in my bank account, he will deposit my cash prize
This is definitely a scam. Do not send them any personal information or money.
I received a message on tiktok from snoop dogg appreciating his fans.. wanting to send me money.. every month so I would be on his payroll. He wanted my PayPal account information and password.. does he actually do that?
THIS IS A SCAM!! NEVER EVER give out your account login details to anyone. Your account will be cleaned out.
I just received the same message on facebook from Michael Chitwood. He told me I had won $1,000,000 cashiers check, $5,000 cash, and, and a bmw. All I needed to provide was my name, address, and phone number. The spelling and grammar errors were numerous. I was very leery about giving my address, considering I am a single mother and didn’t want some stranger coming to my house. I asked how I won, considering I hadn’t entered anything. He said it was a random facebook drawing for chitwood giveaways. I decided to google him, and I found this post. I’m glad I didn’t give him my info!!!!
Thank goodness you followed your head, and gut, and saved yourself a lot of grief. You will know when you have won a real prize!
I have gotten a message from a Michael chitwood he says I have won 1 million dollars along with a brand new BMW he’s asking me to send him 500 dollars in order to pay for taxes after that I’ll get my check and car I even video chatted with him he calls my cell as well I have not sent no money yet I don’t know if it’s a scam I looked up pch scams and it says they do not ever ask for money nor message or call they show up to ur door step or mail u a letter what should I do but I even video chatted with Micheal chitwood I’m confused help!!
Maria, this is a scam. Do not send him money. Block him on every platform, and if you can, send all his information to the authorities. Good luck with inning real sweepstakes.
Hi
I am just wondering if you are familiar with contests from shesaid and tomorro and if so, are they legitimate?
Thanks
My entry rule…no rules, no entry!
Guess this is a scam, too. Got a call from someone calling himself Michael Ellis. I won 5.5 million and a new Mercedes. Now the night before “delivery” they tell me I am to go to either Bank of America or Huntington Bank and make a deposit which will be refundable in order to receive my Claimer’s Receipt.
Yes, it’s clearly a scam.
I enter a giveaway in a app called FortuneBox is this app a legitimate giveaway app
It appears to be legitimate, but you may be better off using a sweepstakes aggregate to find contests with bigger prizes.
Hi I just got one by the name james p realest mcnai is this a scam
If you do not remember entering, then it is.
I got a message on Instagram from this girl saying that I had won $30,000 and a $500 Amazon gift card from prizegrab. But since I’m 16 I have to pay $400 for a claimers receipt so I won’t have to worry about the IRS. I want to believe her because she’s so kind but I feel like it’s a scam. What you think?
Brandi, that sounds like a scam. If you really won, you would have heard directly from PrizeGrab, and you would have remembered entering on their website. Also, Prize Grab would never ask you to pay for a prize. They issue you a Form 1099-MISC and you do have to deal with the IRS then next tax year.
Okay you have to get your Government approval tax relief claimers receipt of approval picked up so I can verified with Better Business Bureau ( B. B. B), that you’ve legally made a claim onto your check so when we carry you to the bank of your choice you will received the legal spending rights of your funds in your state!! and no additional taxes will be taken out of your check once it has been cashed and fully deposit into the bank of your choice!!
I just got contacted by WWE Nikki bella on Tiktock saying I won the WWE promotion for 1 Million dollars and a new Chevy Truck. I asked her if she knows two people that was involved in WWE and she did not respond about either of them. So I am thinking scam, as she only kind of look like her online pictures. I’m not that lucky.
Sadly, you are right. It was most likely a scam. Find legitimate sweepstakes to enter under the Resources section of my website. Choose from newsletters or aggregates. GOOD LUCK!
This is the best blog so far keep it up
So I just received an email from Miranda Lambert Foundation, that I won her sweepstakes…hmmmm
1.3 million and an F150 pickup. They want me to fill out a government-approved tax relief claim form…then send them $375 for stamp and duty fees??
BLOCK & DELETE – sadly, this is a scam!
I received a message saying I had won a contest I had entered on Instagram. Decided to go back & check the contest for the closing date. The contest had not closed yet. I also messaged the company putting on the contest & they told me it was a scam. They did not ask for any money, but they did want my address, email etc. I gave them nothing.
The scammers are getting better. Glad you did your due diligence.