Be aware of contest scams.

Contest and sweepstakes hints and tips #8.

Article September 2003 © Copyright Lots of Luck Advertising

Be wary of unsolicited email, that may inform you that 'You are a Winner', or 'Congratulations'. These unsolicited emails usually are very sparse on details up front, and their goal is to prompt you to click on various links contained in the email.  Of course, these links are there to try to get you to buy something, to sign up for something, to send money, or to provide additional personal information, all on the pretense that you actually won something.  Don't delete or ignore all of these emails as some may end up being from a sponsor of a contest that you entered, however just be wary, and be careful.

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.

Those who enter contests and sweepstakes, are a hopeful lot. Unfortunately, there are lots of people and organizations out there that would be more than happy to use that hopefulness to their advantage.

Some points to consider when trying to determine the validity of these emails (also applies to letters and phone calls):

• Does the email contain the name of the contest or sweepstakes?
  
  
• Does the email contain the names of the sponsor or the company conducting the contest or sweepstakes on behalf of the sponsor?
  
  
• Does the email sender's address sound like it isn't from a company putting on a contest or sweepstakes?  For example, emails from free email services similar to @yahoo.com, @hotmail.com, and @excite.com.  These free email services themselves are great, it's just that a few people (a few out of vast numbers) that use these free services may not be all that reputable when it comes to trying to get your money.  Most companies that sponsor or conduct a contest, have their own email address that reflects their organization, and so they do not rely on free email services for their email addressing.
  
  
• Is the contest or sweepstakes one that you have entered?  Here's where keeping a journal that was mentioned in a different Hints and Tips would come in handy.

It's not to say that all emails and notifications that conflict with one or more of the above points are to be totally avoided... just use caution, and common sense.

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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