Sweepstakes Warning from the Better Business Bureau

I wouldn't mind winning a million dollars in a sweepstakes. What if somebody calls me up and tells me I won even if I didn't enter, what am I supposed to do?  Hang up on a million dollars? The Better Business bureau says yes.That is exactly what you are supposed to do.  Our friend Adam Price from the Central Texas Better Business Bureau says if you did not enter, then it's a scam.  He talked with us this morning about the way the Scammers hook you, and reel you in.

Rules to follow if someone calls saying you won something:

If you didn't enter, you didn't win.

Never pay money to get a prize.

Never send prepaid cards, wire money or give out banking information to get a prize.

Never buy something to get a prize.

Here is more advice from the Federal Trade Commission

Legitimate sweepstakes are free and by chance

It’s illegal to ask you to pay or buy something to enter or increase your odds of winning.

Prize promoters might sell your information to advertisers

When you sign up for a contest or drawing, you probably will get more promotional mail, telemarketing calls, or spam email instead of a prize.

Telemarketers are legally required to tell you the odds of winning, the nature or value of the prizes, that entering is free, and the terms and conditions to redeem a prize. Sweepstakes mailings also must tell you that you don’t have to pay to participate. They also can’t claim that you're a winner unless you've actually won a prize. And they’re not legally permitted to include fake checks that don't clearly state they’re non-negotiable and have no cash value.

Don't be fooled, the Better Business Scam Tracker gives you the low down on all the scams reported in our area and across the country.