How to Identify a Fraudulent Online Sweepstakes

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

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

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

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!

[vallain]

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