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| ==Prize and contest scams==
| | “Congratulations! You have just won a free holiday in sunny Mexico!” Tempting, no doubt. But all too often, offers of a “free” prize turn out to be scams. |
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| You are told that you "have won first prize" or that you "have won first place in a contest." The scammer will tell you that you've won something substantial (such as a large sum of money or a great prize) and that all you have to do is send them money to <span class="noglossary">claim</span> the prize. Or they may not even tell you what the prize is. | | ==Scam 11. Fake lottery scams== |
| | You get a letter in the mail. “You have won a car!" In order to secure your prize, all you have to do is send a fee to claim the prize. The organizers sound legitimate, a hospital foundation, but you’ve never heard of them. You pay the fee. But you never hear from them again. |
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| Scammers use a range of ways to reach you. For example, a text message tells you that you could win a great prize by participating in a trivia competition by texting. The first message may even contain a very easy question to tempt you.
| | This is a '''fake lottery scam'''. |
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| Some scammers use names that resemble official organizations or send an envelope announcing, "It's Your Lucky Day," or "You Have Won." Or they enclose what looks like a government cheque.
| | Often, there is no prize at all. Even if you do receive a prize, it may not be what was promised to you. |
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| ===Facts===
| | In fact, legitimate lotteries do not require you to pay a fee or tax to collect winnings. |
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| *If you have to pay to receive your "prize," you haven’t won anything.
| | As well, you cannot win money or a prize in a lottery unless you have entered it yourself, or someone else has entered it on your behalf. You cannot be chosen as a random winner if you haven’t entered the lottery. |
| *If you have to purchase products, provide a credit card or other <span class="noglossary">account</span> numbers, or send a fee in <span class="noglossary">order</span> to receive your prize, it is not a prize.
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| ===Ways these scams try to get your money=== | | ==Scam 12. Text message trivia scams== |
| *You have to provide your credit card number to cover the shipping and handling fee, lawyer fees etc. or "taxes" to process your winnings. This may be for just a small amount — about $3 or $4. They want you to think, "It isn't much money, so why not risk it?"
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| *In a texting competition or a texting trivial scam, the scammers make money by charging extremely high rates for the messages you send and any further messages they send to you.
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| *You have to call a "900" phone number to find out what you have "won." If you call a 900 number you are paying for the call.
| | | text = “I got a text recently: ‘Tell us who won the Stanley Cup in 1915 — and you could win BIG!!’ I thought, ‘I know the answer! It’s the Vancouver Millionaires, the only time a Vancouver team has won.’ So I texted back. They kept sending hockey questions. I couldn’t resist answering. When I got my next bill, I had $150 in unexpected texting charges.”<br>- Bruce, North Vancouver |
| *You have to make "a small purchase" (typically a few dollars' worth of small items such as pens, key chains, or light bulbs) to get the prize.
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| *You have to provide your credit card number or chequing <span class="noglossary">account</span> number for "verification" purposes. As soon as someone has your credit card number they can use it; they do not need to have your signature.
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| *You have to send a certified cheque.
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| *You are pressured to buy "on the spot" because the prize is available for a "limited time only."
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| ===What you can do===
| | A text message from a number you don’t recognize encourages you to take part in a trivia contest for a great prize. All you need to do is text back correct answers to a few questions. The first questions are easy. You’re encouraged to keep playing. To claim your “prize”, you’re asked a question that is virtually impossible to answer correctly. |
| [[File:Creditcard.jpg| right | frame | link=| <span style="font-size:60%;">Copyright www.shutterstock.com</span>]]
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| *Don't pay to win or enter. Buying goods or services won't increase your chances of winning.
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| *Don't call a 900 number.
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| *Never give your credit card number to someone who claims they <span class="noglossary">will</span> "deposit winnings" in your <span class="noglossary">account</span>.
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| *Be wary about responding to text messages or missed calls that come from numbers you don't recognise.
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| ==Door-to-door scams==
| | In these '''trivia scams''', the scammers make money by charging extremely high rates for the messages you send and any further messages they send to you. |
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| While legitimate businesses sell things through door-to-door marketing, scammers also use this approach. The scammers typically employ high pressure sales tactics to get you to agree to contract services such as roofing, paving or heating.
| | ==Preventing problems== |
| | Here are ways to reduce the risk of being the victim of a prize or contest scam. |
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| The work <span class="noglossary">will</span> be substandard, the <span class="noglossary">bill</span> <span class="noglossary">will</span> include items you did not agree to, their "money-back guarantee" <span class="noglossary">will</span> be worthless, and there <span class="noglossary">will</span> be no way to <span class="noglossary">contact</span> them later. Sometimes scammers pretend to conduct a survey so they can get your personal details or to disguise their sales pitch until they have been talking to you for a while.
| | ===1. Examine any offer carefully=== |
| | Read the terms and conditions of any offer very carefully. Claims of “free” or very cheap offers often have hidden costs. |
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| ===What you can do=== | | ===2. Don’t pay to participate === |
| Door-to-door scammers <span class="noglossary">will</span> not give you value for your money. If you are interested in a door-to-door sale, get the name and location of the company. Check them out with the Better Business Bureau. See the [[Sources of Help for Consumers]] section for <span class="noglossary">contact</span> details. Insist on a written contract and take the time to check it out. If you are feeling pressured, do not sign anything. Close the door.
| | Don't pay to enter a contest. Buying things won't increase your chances of winning. Don't call or text phone numbers beginning with 1-900 unless you are aware of the costs involved. |
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| Under BC law, if you sign a door-to-door sales contract, you have 10 days to cancel by advising the company.
| | ===3. Protect your personal information=== |
| | Never give your credit card number to someone who claims they will "deposit winnings" in your account. |
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| Report suspicious door-to-door sales to Consumer Protection BC at 1-888-564-9963 or [http://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca www.consumerprotectionbc.ca].
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| ==Relative scams==
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| This phone scam targets grandparents or other senior relatives. Posing as a young family member in distress, the scammer claims to have been in a car accident, or to need bail money right away. Usually the scammer asks you to wire several thousand dollars. A caller might say, "Grandma, do you know who this is?" Sometimes scammers have researched Facebook profiles for details about family members.
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| ===What you can do===
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| Seniors should always check the story with other family members before they take any action. Report suspected scammers to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) at 1-888-495-8501 or [http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca].
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