"You've Won a Prize" Text Message — Why It's Always a Scam
A text says you have won a cash prize, gift card, or sweepstakes and need to click a link or call a number to claim it. You cannot win a contest you never entered. These texts are designed to harvest your personal information or trick you into paying a fake processing fee.
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How This Scam Works
High Risk — You Cannot Win a Contest You Never Entered
Legitimate lotteries and sweepstakes never notify winners by text message, and they never require fees to claim prizes.
Note: This scam typically arrives via text message, not email. If you received a suspicious email, forward it to check@scam.support for a free risk assessment. For text scams, report to the FTC — see all reporting agencies.
A text says you have won a cash prize, gift card, or sweepstakes and need to click a link or call a number to claim it. The text may mention a well-known brand like Walmart, Amazon, or Apple. You cannot win a contest you never entered. These texts are designed to harvest your personal information or trick you into paying a fake processing fee.
According to the FTC, prize, sweepstakes, and lottery scams were the second-most reported fraud type in 2023, with reported losses of over $339 million.
Red Flags
- Text says you won a prize for a contest you never entered
- Asks you to click a link or call a number to claim
- Requires a fee or tax payment to receive your winnings
- Mentions a well-known brand to seem legitimate
- Creates urgency — claim within 24 hours or lose it
What You Should Do
What To Do
- Do not click any links or call any numbers
- Remember: if you did not enter a contest, you did not win one
- Never pay a fee to claim a prize
- Delete the text message
- Forward the scam text to 7726 (SPAM)
Sources
- FTC Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2023 — Prize and sweepstakes scam losses ($339 million)