Never pay anything for a chance to win a prize even if the person contacting you assures you that you have won a prize. Never pay a tax or mailing charges or any money to receive an award or a prize. Whenever you receive a letter or a telephone call offering you the chance to win a big prize, the prize you receive, if you receive anything at all, will not be worth what you paid-no matter what you paid and no matter how attractive the prize sounds. For example, a 10 carat diamond and emerald ring offered as a prize often is worth no more that 5 or 10 dollars. A free trip to the Bahamas is often worthless.
Some companies are mere scams.
You will pay and receive nothing at all. Don't be fooled by impressive names or titles. All these companies are trying to sell you something or trying to influence you to call a 900 number or are trying to take your money. Companies not violating present law will offer a prize even if you do not buy anything or pay anything. They usually make the prize sound so attractive you spend your money anyway or they are relying on you not noticing your opportunity to obtain the prize without payment.