The “you won a prize” message
These look exciting and feel almost real. But a few simple signs give them away every time. Let’s look at one together.
Step 1 See what it looks like
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS! You have WON a $1,000 gift card! Claim it now before it expires: bit.ly/claim-prize-fast. Reply YES to confirm. A small $4.99 delivery fee applies.
This is a made-up example to teach you. We will never show you a real person’s message.
Step 2 Find the red flags
- 1
“You have WON”
You won a contest you never entered. Real prizes do not arrive out of nowhere by text.
- 2
“before it expires”
A countdown to rush you. Real companies do not threaten to take a prize away in minutes.
- 3
“bit.ly/claim-prize-fast”
A short, odd link, not the real company’s website. It can lead anywhere.
- 4
“A small $4.99 fee applies”
You never pay to receive a real prize. If you must pay first, it is a trap.
- 5
“Reply YES”
Replying just tells them your number is real and active, so they send you more.
Step 3 See why it works
A free prize feels wonderful, and the fee feels tiny next to $1,000. The rush stops you from asking the simple question: did I really enter anything? You did not.
- Do not click the link. Do not reply, not even YES or STOP.
- Remember the rule: a real prize never asks you to pay first.
- Delete the message. On most phones you can also report it as junk or spam.
- If you think a real company sent it, go to their official website yourself. Never use the link in the message.
If you have to pay to get a prize, it is not a prize. It is a trap.