Imagine you receive a message claiming you’ve won a prize, whether it’s a vacation, cruise, lottery, or sweepstakes. The person contacting you seems ecstatic about your winnings and can’t wait for you to claim them. However, be wary of scams like these that are designed to trick you into giving away your personal information or money.
Recently, a couple from Warman reported a phone scam where the caller claimed to be from Alberta, Canada’s lottery company STARS and told them they had won $35,000 and a 2022 Ford Explorer. That is exciting. The couple’s names were allegedly drawn from a pool of previous STARS lottery supporters.
The scammers then asked them to pay $395 for delivery charges for the car, which is a clear red flag. Always be cautious and verify the legitimacy of the prize and the organization before giving away any money or information.
Here’s what typically happens next in these prize-winner scams:
- The scammer claims additional fees, taxes, or customs duties must be paid before you can receive your prize.
- They then ask you to provide your credit card or bank account information or to pay using cash, gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
- If you pay or provide your information, you’ll lose your money, and there won’t be any prize. Instead, you’ll likely receive more requests for money and false promises of bigger prizes.
Turning the tables on the scammers
Turning the tables means being wise, asking questions, and avoiding requests:
Did you enter a contest? If you can’t recall entering a contest, it’s a 99% chance you haven’t, and you’re being scammed. Don’t let the fraudster talk you into believing you “might have” entered a drawing or were eligible through a website you visited. They’ll lure you in with a “once-in-a-lifetime deal” that you can’t resist. Hang up before it’s too late!
Avoid giving personal information to unknown callers: It’s crucial to identify who you’re dealing with before divulging sensitive details about yourself, such as your name, birth date, or address. Scammers can lurk anywhere and only need one piece of information to access your personal data.
Screen Calls with a Caller ID and Call Blocking Apps: You can let technology do the work by using caller ID and call-blocking apps. With these apps, you can easily spot and block spam and scam calls, reducing the temptation to believe you’ve won a prize that’s too good to be true.
Finally, contact your bank and let them know about the recent scam attempt. Tell family and friends to be on the lookout for possible scams. And if it’s happening to you more than once, refuse any information and declare that you are on to them.
It’s essential to adhere to cyber-safe best practices, which include vigilance and avoidance. Remember that you can always rely on us at https://www.cyologylabs.com to assist.
Join us by downloading our new mobile app, FRAUDSTER, available on both Apple and Android. The app will educate you on consumer concerns and help you stay informed. For more information, visit www.FraudsterApp.com
If you have already downloaded FraudsterApp, you can access the training feature by clicking on the icon located on the home screen.
