Advance Fee Fraud

Lottery & Sweepstakes Scams

You can't win a contest you didn't enter.

You receive an email or call stating you've won millions in a foreign lottery or Publisher's Clearing House. However, to claim your winnings, you must first pay taxes, insurance, or processing fees.

The Truth

Legitimate lotteries deduct taxes and fees from the winnings before they pay you. They never require you to send money upfront to claim a prize.