Sweepstakes Scams

Preview:

These are clever scams that actually send you a check, and then request a fee or tax after you get the check. Then, they'll send you more money.

They call or email you that you've won a sweepstake or lottery or charity or something. They want to send you a check for the first part of your winnings. Go ahead and deposit the check. However, you'll need to pay taxes (or some fee) for the second part. They can only deliver a limited amount before you pay something. There is no way you can lose, since you already have more than the tax or fee from the check you received.

The trick they use is the check they send will appear in your bank account, but will bounce in a few days. In the interim, you give them some money, which they cash. Then they disappear. You imagine you are covered because the money seems to be in your bank. But it is not.

Date: February 2024

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

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Home Forms About Current Newsletter subscribe Search All Articles Browse by Category Security Internet Mobile Business Hardware Fun		Sweepstakes Scams Preview: These are clever scams that actually send you a check, and then request a fee or tax after you get the check. Then, they'll send you more money. They call or email you that you've won a sweepstake or lottery or charity or something. They want to send you a check for the first part of your winnings. Go ahead and deposit the check. However, you'll need to pay taxes (or some fee) for the second part. They can only deliver a limited amount before you pay something. There is no way you can lose, since you already have more than the tax or fee from the check you received. The trick they use is the check they send will appear in your bank account, but will bounce in a few days. In the interim, you give them some money, which they cash. Then they disappear. You imagine you are covered because the money seems to be in your bank. But it is not. Date: February 2024 This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
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