A message says you won a prize. Is it a trick?
Learn how to check an unexpected prize message.
If you do not recall entering a prize draw, pause. Some real offers have automatic entry, so that fact alone does not prove a scam.
Do not pay money to release a supposed prize. Do not send gift card codes to claim it.
Check with the organizer using contact details you found yourself.
Try this
- Keep the message but leave its links alone.
- Do not send money or account details.
- Find the organizer through a known site.
- Ask whether the draw and message are real.
- Report a fake message once you have saved any evidence you need.
A message you can copy
Help me list warning signs in a made-up prize message that asks for a claim fee.
Paste the message into ChatGPT, then fill in any blanks before you send it. ChatGPT opens in a new tab. Opening it does not send the message.
Buddy says
An AI answer cannot confirm that you won.