More important things to be aware of regarding contests and sweepstakes.

Contest and sweepstakes hints and tips #3.

Article September 2003 © Copyright Lots of Luck Advertising

Visit www.lots-of-luck.com for more contest and sweepstakes hints and tips, as well as access to lots of contest and sweepstakes entries.

It's important to mention a number of things to be aware of with regards to contest and sweepstakes, which may save you time, money, and perhaps even help you to win.

• Read the rules and regulations - This is also discussed in another hints and tips, and I don't want to sound repetitive, but I can't emphasize enough how important this item is.
  
  
• Don't give out any credit card information - Watch out for contests and sweepstakes or supposed representatives of the same, that ask you for credit card information to confirm your identity, or to validate your potential win.  This may be done through the mail or over the phone.  There has been some abuse by unscrupulous callers with regards to credit card information that you sometimes read about in the newspapers over the course of the past few years. Even contests and sweepstakes sponsored by Credit Card companies should not ask you for your card's expiration date.  If you do decide to give out your credit card information, just remember that you are giving another person whom you may not be sure to be legitimate, a means to access and use your credit.
  
  
• 1-900 phone numbers - It's probably a good idea not to enter contests and sweepstakes with a 1-900-xxx-xxxx telephone number. Some contests and sweepstakes may state that you need to call a 1-900 number to see if you are a winner, or to claim your prize. Some contests and sweepstakes may be legitimate even if they use a 1-900 service, just be careful and remember that by calling the 1-900 number it will cost you money.  It may cost you only a few dollars, but it could also cost you a lot more depending on how the service was set up.
  
  
• The skill testing question - Most American contests and sweepstakes don't have a requirement for a skill testing question to be answered correctly in order for a potential winner to be declared a winner. Unfortunately, in Canada they do, as the Government considers contests and sweepstakes a game of chance (gambling) if there is no skill involved.  Most of the skill testing questions are mathematical (some are easy while others are more difficult). These skill testing questions can be posed on the entry form, through an email, through regular mail, and even over the phone.
  
  
• Taxes - This currently is not much of an issue in Canada. In America however it may be of concern, as the winners of most contests and sweepstakes are required to pay taxes on the value of the prize, be the prize in cash or in merchandise. However, no matter where you live, check with your local tax office and accountant for the tax laws in your area on winnings from contests and sweepstakes.
  
  
• Miscellaneous costs - Most contests and sweepstakes will not require the winner to make any payments for entering, for winning, or for accepting delivery of a prize.  There is the odd exception to this, where the winner is expected to pay for the delivery costs, and this should be clearly stated in the rules.  Some prizes, such as travel prizes, may require the winner to pay certain costs in order to realize their prize.  For example, if a contest or sweepstakes has a trip to a particular city as the prize, the prize may only include the airfare, and the winner would be required to pay for their own accommodation and other expenses.  This too should be clearly stated in the rules.

These hints and tips articles are listed as guidelines only.  They are listed as information to help you to develop your own strategy in entering contests and sweepstakes. Click on a hints and tips article from the list below, and you will be taken to a more detailed page:

Contest and Sweepstakes Hints and Tips

1. Always read and follow all the Rules and Regulations of any contest or sweepstakes.
   
2. Keep a journal of your entries into contests and sweepstakes.
   
3. More important things to be aware of.
   
4. Where to find contests and sweepstakes.
   
5. A trend in rules and regulations.
   
6. Original entry forms only.
   
7. The best time to enter contests and sweepstakes.
   
8. Be aware of scams.
   
9. Dedicated contest and sweepstakes sites.
   
10. Automated entries.
    
11. The 'UPC'.
12. The four leaf clover.

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