Scam or NotScam No. 0052026-10-26
Is this text a scam?
SCAM
?(202) 555-0147
Text Message · Today 9:41
Transcript: Hi, this is Dana from the Example Charity Fund. Because you donated last year, you were entered in our donor sweepstakes, and you won the $25,000 grand prize! To release the funds, we just need a $299 processing fee and your Social Security number to verify you. Call us back today at (202) 555-0147. Congratulations!
Recreated from the FTC Consumer Alerts article, which describes calls from someone claiming to be with a charity you support, saying you won a sweepstakes and asking you to pay or give your Social Security number. The charity name is clearly fictional and does not refer to any real organization.
3 red flags
- RED FLAG 1Pay to claimThey want money before you get the prize, and that alone means scam.
Source: “The moment someone tells you to pay to claim your prize, you know you’re dealing with a scam.” link - RED FLAG 2Asks for your SocialOnly a scammer asks for your Social Security number to hand over a prize.
Source: “Only scammers demand you pay or give them personal information like your Social Security number to get a prize.” link - RED FLAG 3Faked caller IDThe name and number on your screen can be faked, so do not trust them.
Source: “Scammers can fake caller ID. Don’t trust it, even if it shows a real government agency or company name or phone number.” link
Safe move
Search, skip the ads
Search the charity name with the word scam, and scroll past the paid ads first.
Source: “Search online for the name of the contest or company with words like “complaint,” “review,” or “scam” to see what others are saying. But don’t rely on the first search results you see. Sometimes imposters advertise on platforms like Google Search and Bing to lead you to false information. Scroll past the paid ads to help avoid these imposters.” link
Search the charity name with the word scam, and scroll past the paid ads first.
Source: “Search online for the name of the contest or company with words like “complaint,” “review,” or “scam” to see what others are saying. But don’t rely on the first search results you see. Sometimes imposters advertise on platforms like Google Search and Bing to lead you to false information. Scroll past the paid ads to help avoid these imposters.” link
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