A sweepstakes must disclose these to you. Read the fine print at the bottom of the page or on the back. You do not have to buy anything to enter a sweepstakes. By law, you can enter and have an equal chance of winning without buying anything. Some sweepstakes send out letters on behalf of organizations whose names sound like well-known national charities.
Many consumers find that after they enter one sweepstakes, they begin receiving many offers.
If you are being deluged with sweepstakes offers, here's how to reduce the number you receive. Don't enter any sweepstakes or buy anything through a sweepstakes - throw the mailings away. You are urged to send a check by overnight delivery or courier service. You are asked to send money to pay taxes on your prize. Prize winners pay taxes to the Internal Revenue Service, not to sweepstakes promoters.