The “you won a prize” message
These look exciting and feel almost real. Learning the warning signs helps you know when to stop and check. 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: prize-link.example/claim. 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”
A surprise win needs a check. Not recalling an entry is not proof by itself.
- 2
“before it expires”
A deadline is not a reason to skip the checks.
- 3
“prize-link.example/claim”
This made-up address is just for the lesson. Check real links through a source you know.
- 4
“A small $4.99 delivery fee applies”
The fee to release this supposed prize is the key warning.
- 5
“Reply YES”
A reply can show that you read the text. Use your phone spam controls instead.
Step 3 See why it works
The fee seems small next to the prize. That can make you pay before checking who sent it. Check the source first.
- Do not use the link or reply to this text.
- Do not pay a fee to release the prize.
- Find the group running the prize through a site you know.
- Keep proof if you need to report a loss. Then report the text as spam.
- If you paid, call your bank or card company now.
A fee to release a prize is a scam warning. Check who sent it another way.