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How to Identify a Fraudulent Online Sweepstakes

Member
By lymac7
User-Submitted Article
(2 Ratings)

There are lots of online scams out there promising you free money or prizes. Don't be caught!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • computer with internet
  • a little common sense and cynicism
  1. Step 1

    Look at the web address. Usually the ones that have big long phrases in the address are fake, e.g. www.retire-right-now.com or www.getaplasmatvfree.com Real sweepstakes should be linked to a business.

  2. Step 2

    If there is a business reference on the sweepstakes page, check it out on the Better Business Bureau website at www.bbb.org

  3. Step 3

    Be wary if you have to buy anything to enter, or recruit other people to visit the website to enter.

  4. Step 4

    Look for lots of ALL CAPS writing, excessive use of exclamation points!!!!! and spelling errors. Also look for flashing icons, and if a lot of pop-up ads keep appearing on the site, be wary.

  5. Step 5

    Don't trust any sweepstakes site that asks for banking or credit card information or social security numbers.

  6. Step 6

    Remember: if you never entered the sweepstakes, it's impossible to be a winner. If you receive emails saying you have won something and you don't remember entering anything, you can be sure it's a scam!

Comments  

vallain said

Flag This Comment

on 2/26/2008 Good tips, thanks for the ideas.

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