--- title: "Prize, lottery and giveaway scams: warning signs | TapSafely" url: https://tapsafely.com/scams/prize-and-giveaway-scams source: TapSafely description: "You've won a phone, a lottery or a supermarket reward. You just need to pay a small fee. How prize scams and fake giveaways work." --- [Home](https://tapsafely.com/)/[Scam guides](https://tapsafely.com/scams/)/ Prize, lottery and giveaway scams # Prize, lottery and giveaway scams “Congratulations! You've been selected to receive a free phone.” Or your loyalty points are about to expire. Or a celebrity is giving away money. All you have to do is pay shipping or a processing fee. By the TapSafely editorial team · Updated 16 September 2026 · 3 min read ## In short You've won a phone, a lottery or a supermarket reward. You just need to pay a small fee. How prize scams and fake giveaways work. **Top warning signs:** You didn't enter; A fee to claim; Expiring points or rewards. **First thing to do:** Ignore and delete. Check any real loyalty balance in the official app. Example · SMS · Illustrative, links disabled Rewards Congratulations! Your 5,200 loyalty points expire today. Redeem them for a free gift now, just cover the £2.99 shipping: points-reward-club[.]shop An example scam message with the warning signs highlighted. ## How the scam works Fake prizes collect card details through small “shipping” fees, or sign you up to hidden recurring subscriptions. Lottery versions ask for “taxes” or “release fees” before paying out. The prize never exists. ## Red flags to look for - **You didn't enter.** You can't win a competition you never joined. - **A fee to claim.** Real prizes don't require payment. - **Expiring points or rewards.** Check in the official app instead. ## What to do if you get one 1. Ignore and delete. Check any real loyalty balance in the official app. 2. Report the message to your carrier or email provider. ## If you already paid or shared details ### Act quickly. It makes a difference. 1. Call your bank to block the card, and look for recurring charges you didn't agree to. More help: [what to do after a scam, and where to report it in your country](https://tapsafely.com/been-scammed). ## Official sources and further reading We check our guides against advice from government agencies and consumer protection bodies. - [Fake Prize, Sweepstakes, and Lottery Scams](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/fake-prize-sweepstakes-and-lottery-scams) (US Federal Trade Commission) - [Unexpected money scams](https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams/unexpected-money-scams) (Scamwatch, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) - [Prize and lottery fraud](https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/scams-fraudes/prize-prix-eng.htm) (Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre) ### Got a message like this? Paste the message or link Check it free ### Still unsure? Describe what happened and our AI assistant will help, in any language. Ask TapSafely ### On this page 1. [How it works](#how) 2. [Red flags](#red-flags) 3. [What to do](#what-to-do) 4. [If you already paid](#already-paid) 5. [Sources](#sources) ### Seen this scam? Your report helps warn people in your area. [Report it](https://tapsafely.com/report?category=prize) ## Related guides [Guide ### Fake delivery texts and customs-fee scams Got a text saying your parcel is on hold until you pay a small fee? See how fake delivery texts work, the red flags, and… Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/fake-delivery-texts)[Guide ### Phishing links and fake login pages Learn the one skill that stops most scams: reading who really owns a link. With examples of look-alike addresses and fak… Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/phishing-links)[Guide ### Fake online shops Huge discounts, countdown timers and a shop that never delivers. How to check whether an online store is real before you… Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/fake-online-shops)