Dave
New Westminster,#2Consumer Suggestion
Tue, May 16, 2006
To also help recognize these scams: - It is unlawful to participate in foreign lotteries. (Either forbidden by the laws of your country, of by those of the supposed lottery.) - Confidentiality requirement. Real lotteries and sweepstakes contests want the world to know who won. It helps them sell more tickets for next time. Why would they request confidentiality? - Do you remember entering? To claim a prize, you need the winning ticket. If you didn't buy a ticket, you can't win. - email notification. Unless you are playing online lotteries and specifically ask to be notified by email, no lottery is going to email you about winning.
Alma
Menlo Park,#3Consumer Suggestion
Tue, May 16, 2006
ANY lottery/sweepstakes requiring money for a "garanteed" sum or for "one step closer to winning" are scam. Here are a short review of the relawant law: The Deceptive Mail Prevention and Enforcement Act prohibits: claims that you're a winner unless you've actually won a prize. requirements that you buy something to enter the contest or to receive future sweepstakes mailings. the mailing of fake checks that don't clearly state that they are non-negotiable and have no cash value. seals, names or terms that imply an affiliation with or endorsement by the federal government What can you do? First, post here, on Ripoffreport, to warn others. Fill a complain with ftc (ftc.gov) click on the "File a Complaint" tab Contact your local postmaster or the U.S. Postal Inspection Service by phone, toll-free, at: 1-888-877-7644; by email at: www.uspsoig.gov OR simply send/forward the offending sweepstakes/lottery offer you got to: U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Office of Inspector General, Operations Support Group, 222 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1250, Chicago, IL 60606-6100. USPS has the authority to close/size any pobox used by these offenders.