Scam or NotScam No. 017

2026-10-30

Is this text a scam?

#ScamOrNot #PrizeScam #ScamAlert #Shorts

Recreated from the FTC Consumer Alert describing prize messages that promise a million-dollar prize, ask for a small fee for taxes or handling, and ask for payment by gift cards or for bank account details.

3 red flags

• RED FLAG 1Pay to claimPay that fee and your money is gone, and there is no prize.
  Source: “If you pay, you’ll lose your money and find out there’s no prize.” link
• RED FLAG 2Gift cards onlyOnly a scammer insists you pay with gift cards to get a prize.
  Source: “only a scammer will insist you pay by wiring money through a company like Western Union or MoneyGram, using a payment app like Apple Pay, CashApp, PayPal, or Zelle, sending cash, or paying with gift cards or cryptocurrency to get your prize.” link
• RED FLAG 3Wants bank detailsThere is no reason to give your bank account to claim a prize.
  Source: “There’s no reason to give your bank account or Social Security number to claim a prize.” link

Safe move

Send this to the one who'd tap it.

Sources

• FTC Consumer Alerts