Recently, someone showed up at the door of the FTC to ask about his prize. He had a mailing saying he’d won $5 million – and the FTC had “certified and verified” it. The letter told him to act immediately to get the money. Otherwise, his millions would be given to somebody else. He’d talked with the so-called officials, who wanted him to pay $500 in fees to claim his (ahem) prize.
But here’s the thing: the FTC doesn’t give free prizes, certify prizes, or verify prizes. Anyone who says we do is lying and trying to get your money. And companies that give free prizes don’t charge you to collect your winnings. Anyone who asks you to pay for a prize will take your money, but you’ll never get the promised pay-out.
Scammers are good at making their tall tales seem real. This man’s letter looked real, with a picture of our building and our seal. But the important parts are fake: the FTC does not certify or validate prizes. And we don’t call, email or write to ask you for money for any reason. So: if you get a letter like this, that’s a scam. Tell the FTC. If anybody asks you to pay them – or give your bank account or credit card number – to claim a prize, that’s a scam. Tell the FTC. And if anybody says you must pay by wiring money or buying a gift card, that’s a scam. Always. And tell the FTC.
If ever you wonder about a letter, call, or message that says you’ve won (or that you must pay for some other reason), do what this man did. Stop and check it out. Talk to someone you trust. Sign up for our scam alerts to keep up with the latest scams – and, when you spot one: tell the FTC.
In reply to The websites publishing our by Sweetkitty
In reply to The websites publishing our by Sweetkitty
I ALMOST fell for it! Yesterday was my 68th Birthday & I really should have been smarter. They're working together on Facebook & there's a phone number attached to the lady on Facebook Messenger.
Her name is Susan Isssac. The phone number associated with the lady from Facebook is: (404) 900-0906 I have their messages saved on my cell phone. It's regarding 'Federal Government Grant Money' - JUST AS YOU HAVE DESCRIBED !! PLEASE HELP ME !! I'm VERY ashamed of myself; I live BELOW FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL, I can Barely keep my head above water & I can't even afford Homeowners Insurance. They have my address and email address & I'm afraid to use Facebook. I'm sending this on my laptop.
In reply to What does the FTC do when by MMar2861
Yes, the FTC catches scammers. You can sign up to get the FTC Scam Alerts by email, and read the warnings and news stories about scammers we stop.
I get these everyday.Today several by 9:00 AM.Three were in English,as three had the instructions used the foreign alphabet that has the symbol-type letter, like mid_east, western Europe like Romania, Czech, Croatia,etc. Really stupid scammers.If the symbol letters could be converted to our alphabet,the words could likely not be interpreted. Want to know how to forward them to FTC.Spent most of my career as corporate lawyer, dealt w. FTC many times on proposed mergers,etc.Then as CEO of two large publicly-held corporate, technology of e-mail is not a strength.
I have received so many scams to my email and phone, breakins to my house stealing my birth certificate and information.not safe anywhere.