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Sweepstakes Winner Scams: 5 Red Flags to Recognize

This deal was posted on August 4, 2019 at 4:41 am by alicia

Finding out you’ve become a victim of a sweepstakes winner scam can open up a can of worms. Don’t fall victim to these winner scams and learn how to protect yourself. 

Before you get started reading, The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website also has valuable information on how to recognize and avoid phishing scams.

Have you ever fallen victim to a scam? It stinks and that’s putting the feeling it gives you politely. Scammers can steal your identity or gain access to your bank accounts with little information. That’s a scary thought. 

Unfortunately, scams come in all shapes and sizes. Including sweepstakes winner scams. These scams are a little different than the typical phishing emails you get. 

Sweepstakes winner scams trick you into believing you actually won a sweepstake that never existed. 

Scammers have become more advanced in their tactics over the years. Using very realistic looking emails and spoof email addresses to gain their unexpecting victim’s trust. Sometimes it can be hard to distinguish a real sweepstakes win and a fake one. 

 

Sweepstakes Winner Scams: 5 Red Flags to Recognize

We want to help you avoid becoming the victim of these invasions of privacy scams. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of five red flags to look for that scream this is a sweepstakes scam. With also a few examples of what any of the sweepstakes winner scams may look like. 

 

Sweepstakes Scam Warning Sign Sending Money for a Prize

One warning sign that you’re dealing with a sweepstakes scam is if the prize notification asks you to pay a processing fee to redeem your win.

 

 

1. You Must Send Money Before You Can Receive Your Sweepstakes Win 

 

It’s important to understand that some sweepstakes prize wins will require you pay a fee. But, paying a fee to claim sweepstakes win should only be a fee for port or hotel taxes. This could be a possible scenario with a cruise or vacation win.

For information on any fees associated with a sweepstake, make sure to check out the sweepstakes official rules. All legit sweepstakes and contests have a way for you to view official rules before you submit your entry. 

If you get a prize notification that says you must send any amount of money for processing, it’s safe to say you have a sweepstake scam on your hands. 

 

Scam Paperwork to Pay Taxes on Win

Anyone who wins anything with a value of over $600 must file tax forms.

 

2. The Scammer Doesn’t Send Any Additional Paperwork for You to Complete to Redeem Your Win

While it would be nice for a quick way to redeem huge prizes, there is paperwork required for wins over $600+. You will have to pay taxes for wins anything over that amount and will need to fill out a 1099 form prior to getting your win. 

On the other hand, any company can require you to fill out a tax form for wins of any value. While this isn’t common for wins that have values under $100, it does happen. 

 

Sweepstakes Winner Scams Warning Signs You Dont Remember Entering the Sweepstakes

Playing a lot of sweepstakes can make it hard to keep up with all of your entries. But, in order to prevent falling victim to a scam, it’s something you should consider doing.

 

3. You Can’t Remember Entering the Sweepstakes You Won

We get it. With so many sweepstakes to enter, you may lose track. But, due to the high rate of sweepstakes winner scams out there, it is really recommended you find a way to keep track of your entries. 

Let’s say you get an email claiming you won the grand prize in a sweepstake sponsored by a company you’ve never even heard of. Even if the company sounds like a hugely well-known brand, but you can’t remember entering one run by this company, this is a red flag. 

To prevent this from happening and you falling victim to any sweepstakes winner scams, find a way to keep track of your sweepstake entries. There are many ways you can do this. Such as using a free program like Google Sheets and creating a spreadsheet. 

 

Foreign Lottery Wins are Prize Scams

Did you know that in the United States it is illegal to play or win sweepstakes in another country?

 

4. Lotteries or Wins from Foreign Countries are Definitely Sweepstakes Winner Scams

Did you know that in the United States it is illegal for you to enter or win any lotteries in other countries? So, if you get an email saying you won a lottery in another country, this is a sweepstakes winner scams. 

 

Prize Notification Scam Warning Sign Unprofessional Email

Was your sweepstake win email filled with a lot of typos and grammar errors? You could be dealing with a sweepstakes scam.

 

5. Prize Notification Email is Riddled with Mistakes and Uncertainty 

Since most prize notifications come via email, carefully inspecting any sweepstakes win email you get is a must. Because let me tell you, scammers are getting super clever when it comes to creating phishing emails.

There are some scam emails that look legit and noticing any “red flags” may be super difficult to know that it’s fake. Below are a few for sure red flag that you’re dealing with one of many sweepstakes winner scams.

 

Sweepstakes Winner Scams: Red Flag Visual Clues for Fake Sweepstakes Win Email

  • The email is filled with typos and grammar errors. 

Anyone can make a mistake and send an email with a letter out of place or a grammar error or two. But, if you get an email that is completely all over the place with many typos, it’s safe to say you’re dealing with a sweepstakes winner scam. 

Companies who send prize notifications are going to double-check their emails before they send them with multiple errors.

 

  • You aren’t addressed by your name in the email. 

If a prize notification email begins with “Dear Sir or Madam” and not your actual name, you may be dealing with a prize scam. Almost always, in order to enter sweepstakes, it’s required to put your name before you’re able to enter.

We promise, if you won a big prize, they are going to address you by your name. They’re going to know who you are. 

 

  • Email address is from a free email service. 

Small businesses that run sweepstakes may only be working with a free email address from Google and Yahoo. Large companies who sponsor large sweepstakes are going to send emails from a company email address. 

Warning: Scammers are even learning how to spoof email addresses of major corporations. With some sending them as if they are directly from the actual company. Then there are some instances where they will change one letter or two from the real companies name. 

 

  • Unprofessional is written all over the email.

Read over any possible sweepstakes win email you get very carefully. We know what a professional level is and we know when it seems too “relaxed”. While sweepstakes win is exciting, businesses must still remain professional. 

Sweepstakes Winner Scams 5 Red Flags to Recognize

Sweepstake players, be aware of these red flags that could mean a sweepstake is a sweepstakes winner scam.

Sweepstakes Winner Scams: What to Do if You Get Scammed

If you become a victim of a sweepstake winner scam, there are a few steps you must take. Starting with notifying credit bureaus, getting new identification cards, and notifying your bank.

If you want to learn more about staying safe when entering sweepstakes, read our post on how to identify and report email scams. 

Filed Under: FAKE FREEBIES, Resources, Sweepstakes Tagged With: instant win sweepstakes, prize notifications, scams, sweepstakes, sweepstakes scams

6 Instant Win Sweepstakes with Prizes That Will Blow Your Mind

This deal was posted on August 1, 2019 at 9:36 pm by alicia

Winning cash prizes or an all-expenses-paid vacation would make even the grumpiest person crack a smile. Instant win sweepstakes and instant win games make that awesomeness happen. Skip waiting to see if you’re a sweepstakes winner and find out instantly. 

What is Instant Win Sweepstakes? 

Traditional sweepstakes make you wait days or sometimes months before announcing winners. Instant win sweepstakes games let you know as soon as you enter! You won’t have to wait in anticipation or miss a possible prize notification later. 

Unless the sweepstakes sponsor promises an instant virtual gift card, there is still a wait to get your prize. From the instant win sweepstakes we’ve played, this timeline is an average of 4-8+ weeks. 

 

How Do You Play Free Instant Win Games? 

Not every instant win sweepstakes have the same games, prizes, and rules. How you play the game is going to differ from each company. Here are a few instant win sweepstakes traditional game examples. 

 

Instant Win Game Examples

 

Julies Freebies Spin to Win

Spin-to-Win games are one of the most popular instant win games!

Spin-to-Win 

Spin-to-Win Instant Games are, without a doubt, one of the most popular instant win game choices. They are a super quick option and basically, give you a heart attack every time you play. 

You spin a prize wheel — think Wheel of Fortune style — with different prizes on it. On the prize wheel, there will be things like mystery prizes, cash wins, free gift cards, and the dreaded “Not a Winner”. 

The spin-to-win game may give you an option to stop the spinning of the prize wheel or it may stop it for you. When it stops, the pointer will land on your prize or no prize fate. 

 

Matching and Scratch-Off 

Three four-leaf clovers in a row or an instant win green money bag symbol. Those are just a few examples of a winning match or scratch-off games where you can instantly when. 

Scratch-off instant wins are like the lottery tickets you scratch from the corner gas station. So, they both give you a chance to instantly win an awesome prize. 

The only difference is that the tickets you get from the gas station 99.99% of the time only have cash prizes. Online instant win scratch-off game prizes could be cash, trips, or t-shirts. 

 

Trivia 

If Wheel of Fortune type games aren’t your thing and you’re more of a Jeopardy type person, there is a game for you, too! 

Trivia games are another example of instant win sweepstakes and contests to enter. 

One of the best things about Trivia instant wins is that most of them guarantee a definite prize for you if you answer all of the trivia questions right and everyone loves winning!

The downside to that is that most of these games, due to the high chance of winning, offer instant win prizes of lower value. 

 

How Do You Win Instant Win Games? 

There is no exact “science” for winning a prize instantly. These games pick a winner at random. Basing the winner on rules either the company or company running the sweepstakes sets. 

Here is an example of how winners are selected at random. 

Company A runs a spin-to-win instant win sweepstakes promotion. Sweepstake rules state that the promotion will run until there are 100 winners. Every 1,000 people to play will land on a winning prize and each person can only play once a day. 

So, if you play the game and are player 1,001, this means the player before you won a prize and 999 more people must play again before another winner will happen on the prize wheel. 

Unless you’re behind the scenes working on the sweepstakes promotions, you won’t really know when the next chance to win is. 

 

Instant Win Sweepstakes with Prizes that Will Blow Your Mind

Check out these six instant win sweepstakes with prizes that will blow your mind. How does a free trip or bundles of cash sound?

 

6 Instant Win Sweepstakes with Prizes That Will Blow Your Mind 

If you want the full list of instant win sweepstakes and contests, head over to the Julie’s Freebies current list of instant win games.

We didn’t want to provide you with a list of your typical run-of-the-mill instant win prizes. That’s why we searched for the games where you instantly win prizes that go beyond boring and straight to jawdropping. 

Here are six instant win sweepstakes with prizes that will blow your mind and you can enter them right now! 

Good luck! 

 

1. Bohemia Hidden Gold Instant Win Game

How does an extra $500 to spend however you like sound? Enter for a chance to win and you could win a $500 gift card from the Bohemia Hidden Gold Instant Win Game. 

Five people will win $500. You have until August 31, 2019, to enter for a chance for you to win instantly!

 

Instant Win Prizes: 

(5) $500 Gift Cards 

Entry: Daily Entry

Ending: August 31, 2019, 11:59 pm

Official Sweepstakes Rules

 

ENTER THE BOHEMIA HIDDEN GOLD INSTANT WIN GAME SWEEPSTAKES

 

2. Wolf Steel Spin to Win Instant Win Game

Napolean carries nice fireplaces and grills that are very high quality. The Wolf Steel Spin and Win Instant Win Game give you a chance to win one of the amazing fireplaces or grills or huge discounts.

One player will instantly win the grand prize valued at $10,000! This instant win sweepstake is still going. But, you only have until August 31, 2019, to enter to win a prize!

 

Wolf Steel Spin to Win Game

Enter the Wolf Steel Spin to Win Game for a chance to instantly win a Napoleon electric fireplace!

 

Instant Win Prizes: 

  • (1) Grand Prize of any Napoleon Fireplace product including installation with a maximum value up to $10,000.
  • 1 Napoleon Prestige PRO™ 500 Gas Grill.
  • 1 Your choice of any Napoleon Fireplace product up to a maximum of $5,000 retail value (MSRP).
  • 2 Napoleon Allure™ 42 Electric Fireplaces.
  • 2 $500 off any Napoleon Fireplace product.
  • 2 Napoleon Allure™ Vertical 38 Electric Fireplaces.
  • 5,000 $100 off any Napoleon Fireplace product.

 

Ending: August 31, 2019, 11:59 pm 

Official Sweepstakes Rules

 

SPIN TO WIN A NAPOLEAN ELECTRIC FIREPLACE

 

Win Cash Instantly Thanks to Newport

You could win $10,000 in cash by playing the Newport Instant Win Game!

 

3. The Newport Summer of Pleasure Instant Win Game 

This is one instant win sweepstakes you don’t want to miss and you have until September 24, 2019, to enter for a chance to win $10,000 or $100,000!

The Newport Summer of Pleasure Instant Win Game also has super cool instant wins. You can instantly win virtual Visa, StubHub, and Uber virtual gift cards instantly.

 

Instant Win Prizes:

  • (4,704) $25.00 eReward Visa Virtual Card Instant Win Prizes: Each winner will receive one (1) $25.00 eReward Visa Virtual Card.
  • (4,480) $25.00 Uber® eGift Card Instant Win Prizes: Each winner will receive one (1) $25.00 Uber® eGift Card.
  • (4,480) $25.00 StubHub™ eGift Card Instant Win Prizes: Each winner will receive one (1) $25.00 StubHub™ eGift Card.

 

Ending: September 24, 2019

Official Sweepstakes Rules

 

THOUSANDS WILL WHEN PLAYING THE NEWPORT SUMMER OF PLEASURE INSTANT WIN GAME

 

4. Harley-Davidson Livewire 0 to 60 in 3 Giveaway and Instant Win Game

Leave it to Harley-Davidson to have an instant win sweepstake with super cool prizes. Just check out the instant prizes you can below. 

Who wouldn’t want a garage makeover or a nice trip?! 

 

Instant Win Prizes:

  • (5) Access for the winner and one (1) guest to attend the Motorcycle Riding Academy.
  • (1) Garage Makeover fulfilled as a $500.00 Gift Card.
  • (3) Music Streaming Service 1-Year Subscription. Music Streaming Service 1-Year Subscription will be awarded as a digital code.
  • (15) One (1) Alexa Home.
  • (24) One (1) pair of wireless headphones.
  • (9) $20.00 Visa® Prepaid Card.
  • (25) $10.00 Amazon.com Gift Card.
  • (50) $5.00 Amazon.com Gift Card.

 

Ending: September 2,2019, 11:59 pm

 

Official Sweepstakes Rules 

 

ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO INSTANTLY WIN ACCESS TO ATTEND THE MOTORCYCLE RIDING ACADEMY AND MORE

 

5. Bai Sip Society Instant Win Game 2019

Ever wondered what it would be like to live in a fancy treehouse? Then enter the Bai Sip Society Instant Win Game.

You could instantly win a trip for a 7 day/6 night stay in a treehouse in Spicewood, Texas. 

 

Bai Antioxidant Drinks

Bai — the popular antioxidant drinks — are sending one lucky person to stay in a treehouse in Texas!

Instant Win Prizes:

  • (1) A seven (7) day/six (6) night trip for 2 to Spicewood, Texas to stay in a treehouse, brought to you by Bai.
  • (1) A seven (7) day/six (6) night trip for 2 to Los Angeles, California to stay in an eco-friendly dome, brought to you by Bai.
  • (200) A blender and cooler in one.
  • (200) One (1) Case (12 bottles) of Bai Mountainside Variety Pack.
  • (100) One(1) Healthy Snack Pack, which includes a variety of snacks and Bai beverages selected by Sponsor in its sole discretion

Ending: October 31, 2019, 11:59 pm

Official Sweepstakes Rules

 

INSTANTLY WIN A TRIP FOR A 7 DAY/6 NIGHT TO A TREEHOUSE DESTINATION IN SPICEWOOD, TEXAS

 

Win a 5 Day 4 Night Stay in the Caribbeans

Bunch O Balloons wants to send you on a 5 day/4 night vacation to the Caribbeans!

6. Bunch O Balloons Splash to Win Sweepstakes and Instant Win Game

We love using Bunch O Balloons products in the summer at our house. Bunch O Balloons makes it super easy to fill up tons of water balloons fast. Creating the perfect time for water balloon fight! 

Since Bunch O Balloons has such fun products, they have to make their instant win sweepstakes and contests have prizes just as fun. Like a 5 day/4 night stay in the Carribean or a brand new Jeep. 

 

Instant Win Prizes:

  • (10) Spark Drone – No googles
  • (2) Yvolution Box of Wonder Package.
  • (10) Nintendo Switch
  • (100) Yvolution y Fliker
  • (100) Fuji Film Instapix Polaroid
  • (100) Amazon E-Card
  • (125,000) Bunch O Balloons 3packs

 

Grand Sweepstakes Prizes:

  • (1) Grand Prize: a Jeep or similar vehicle with automatic transmission. ARV, up to and not exceeding: $25,000USD/ $33,254.38CDN.
  • (1) First Prize: a trip for one (1) verified winner (“Winner”) and three (3) verified guests (“Guests”) to the Caribbean for 5 days for 4 nights; and $1,000 in the form of a check for spending money. Maximum ARV: $10,000USD/$13,301.75CDN. For more details on the First Prize, see below.

 

Ending: September 30, 2019 11:59 pm 

Official Sweepstakes Rules

 

ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A TRIP TO THE CARRIBEAN THANKS TO BUNCH O BALLOON

Filed Under: Cars & Vehicles, Contests, Daily Entry, Everything Else, Featured Giveaways, Food & Beverage, Gift Certificates & Cash, Giveaways, Instant Win Games, Julie's Freebies, Sweepstakes, Vacations & Travel Tagged With: free stuff, giveaways, instant win, instant win games, instant win sweepstakes, sweepstakes

 

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