Beware of Sweepstakes and Lotteries Scams

Sweepstakes and lotteries are marketing methods to entice people for winning instant prizes and cash. A lot of conditions are involved with these processes. But sometimes these can be simply scams which are often difficult to figure out. Every year thousands of people in America and all over the world are victimized by these telemarketing tactics.

What are Sweepstakes and Lotteries?

Sweepstakes are widely associated with marketing which aims to produce the enthusiasm of the customer as well as to provide incentives that are necessary. It may also be locally called “sweeps”. Sweeps may also be called “second chance sweepstakes” by the marketing promoters. These consumer sales promotions are regulated by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

Lotteries are legal procedures for winning loads of money by trying petty luck and assumption. This is a kind of gambling. It is legalized in many places. The clauses of lotteries are regulated by the government of the respective place. The lottery processes in U.S. are controlled by the United States Patent Office. “Scratch cards” are the most short-spanned lottery tickets.

Sweepstakes and Lotteries Scams

Check out the dates, clauses, conditions and taxes of a particular lottery or sweepstake before buying a ticket. Also look whether the company is authorized. Telemarketers often use catchy language to promote their lotteries. Or if they have your email id, they send you messages about their lotteries highlighting the prizes. You may be promised of some prize but you would be persuaded for paying a small shipping fee. These are fraud schemes.

Most of these telemarketers aim at obtaining personal information from the customers. Scan these companies thoroughly before going ahead. Remember there is no reason for these swindlers to ask for a social security number, credit card number information on driver’s license and so on. The sweepstakes companies often use tricky clauses to confuse the customers.

International scams of lotteries are quite common these days. These spam telemarketers call customers who are present in their list. They tell the consumers that they have excellent opportunities which can be used for winning thousands of dollars through international lotteries. They persuade the customers so that they get attracted and end up buying stakes.

If you are getting harassed by these types of phone calls, register your complaint at: http://www.econsumer.gov/.

Fight Against Telemarketing Swindlers

To avoid these telemarketers from accessing your number, register your telephone numbers on the “National Do Not Call Registry”. The Do-Not-Call Improvement Act passed in 2008 ensures that your number will remain on the list permanently. To register your mobile numbers or landline numbers in the National Do Not Call Registry list follow the instructions:
• Input your number and email id in the registry form. To download the form click on: https://www.donotcall.gov/register/reg.aspx
• Look for mistakes and hit the “register” button.
• Check whether you have got an email from Register@donotcall.gov. Once you see the email, click on the given link.

A lot of telemarketers take advantage of customers who are polite and soft. So if you get any hint of the schemes of these pretenders simply ask them to remove your name from the list and hang up. Sometimes telemarketers often lie to the customers that they are from authorized organizations. This is done so that there calls are not ignored or hung up.

It often happens that even if you have enlisted your number in the “Do Not Call Registry”, the telemarketing companies trace you and start their calls. There are several online databases which help to detect the calls made by telemarketers. These websites will help to know about the companies who continue to call you.

The Bureau of Consumer Protection under the Federal Trade Commission of USA is mandated for providing protection against unfair acts and fraud commercial practices. This department exercises consumer education, enforcement actions and investigations relating to these fraudulent activities. This bureau also concentrates on identity thefts and privacy policies.

Learn more from: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/data.shtm You may also mail your queries at: spam@uce.gov.