Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
- computer with internet
- a little common sense and cynicism
Step1
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.
Step2
If there is a business reference on the sweepstakes page, check it out on the Better Business Bureau website at www.bbb.org
Step3
Be wary if you have to buy anything to enter, or recruit other people to visit the website to enter.
Step4
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.
Step5
Don't trust any sweepstakes site that asks for banking or credit card information or social security numbers.
Step6
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
on 2/26/2008 Good tips, thanks for the ideas.