Tip Of The Day: Don't Send A Check To Claim Your 'Lottery Winnings'

Thousands of lottery scam letters are sent out everyday. But don’t get too excited, the people who write these letters are only after your money and/or identity. They may claim to be lawyers, claims agents, bankers, law enforcement agents, people of high rank in the government, gaming officials, tax collectors, etc. They’ll usually ask you for money to offset bank fees, storage, shipping, etc. so that you may claim your winnings.

Legitimate lotteries and sweepstakes NEVER ask for money. In fact, there are no fees of any kind. If you really win a sweepstakes contest, the only money you owe is the tax you personally pay directly to your government. This tax is NEVER paid through anyone else or by anyone else. This is true in every country.

Additionally, attempting to contact the sender may put your personal identification at risk – avoid it entirely. So remember, if you did not buy a lottery ticket, you cannot win the lottery. There are no exceptions!