Часто задаваемые вопросы
О Lottery Scam
1 How do lottery scams work?
Scammers contact you claiming you've won a lottery or sweepstakes (often one you never entered). To claim your "prize," you must pay taxes, fees, or processing charges upfront. The prize doesn't exist, and scammers continue requesting more payments.
2 Can I win a lottery I never entered?
No. You cannot win a legitimate lottery or sweepstakes you didn't enter. If someone contacts you about winnings from a competition you don't remember entering, it's a scam. Legitimate lotteries don't contact winners via email or phone.
3 Why do scammers ask for fees to claim lottery winnings?
This is the core of the scam - there is no prize. Legitimate lotteries deduct taxes from winnings; they never require winners to pay anything upfront. Any request for payment to claim a prize is fraud.
4 What should I do if I receive a lottery scam message?
Do not respond. Never send money, provide personal information, or cash any checks they send (they're fake and will bounce). Report to the FTC and your local consumer protection agency. Block the sender.
5 Are international lottery winnings legitimate?
No. It's illegal for US residents to participate in foreign lotteries, and scammers commonly use fake international lotteries. Notifications about winning foreign lotteries are always scams.