Think Smarter by Kit Harlow
THINK SMARTERABOUT SCAMS
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Money & property

The charity sweepstakes prize

A caller uses the name of a charity you may support and says your donation entered you in a sweepstakes that you have won. Caller ID, social ads or search results may make the organization look real.

U.S. sourceCurrent official warning

What they want

A fee, purchase or sensitive information such as a Social Security number before the supposed prize is released.

YOUR NEXT MOVE

Check through another route.

Don’t pay or provide personal information to claim a prize. Real prizes are free. Verify the charity and contest through contact details you find independently, and look beyond paid search ads.

Already responded?

Stop contact and ask someone you trust for help. If you paid or exposed account details, contact the affected service through its official channel.

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