Prize scammers try to get your money or personal information through fake lotteries, sweepstakes, or other contests. Many claim that you’ve won a prize but must pay a fee to collect it. Others require you to provide personal information to enter a “contest.” These scams may reach you by postal mail, email, phone call, robocall, or text message. Report Lottery and Sweepstakes Scams To report a prize scam: Contact the Federal Trade Commission online or by phone at 1-877-382-4357. Contact a postal inspector if the scam uses the U.S. mail . Report robocalls and unwanted telemarketing calls to the Do Not Call Registry. Federal agencies investigate scams and pursue criminal charges against the scammers. But they won’t investigate your case. State consumer protection offices might pursue individual cases as well as investigate scams. Protect Yourself From Lottery and Sweepstakes Scams Remember these tips to avoid being a victim of a lottery or sweepstakes scam: Do Ask yourself if you entered a particular contest. If you didn’t enter it, the prize notice is likely a fake. Some scammers use the names of organizations that run real sweepstakes. Research the company's contact information. Contact them to verify if the prize is legitimate. Register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry. You may register online or by calling 1-888-382-1222. If you still receive a call about a prize after registering, the call is probably a scam. Report spam text messages to your mobile carrier, then delete them. Hang up on suspicious calls. Don’t Don’t pay a fee, taxes, or shipping charges to receive a prize. Don’t wire money to, or deposit a check from, any organization claiming to run a sweepstakes or lottery. Don’t provide your credit card number or bank account information to receive a prize. Don’t believe someone just because they say they’re from the government or an official-sounding organization. Don’t reply to, or click on any links in, a spam text message. Don’t give in to pressure to take immediate action. Don’t believe anyone claiming to be from a foreign lottery or sweepstakes. It’s illegal to enter foreign contests like these.