With an increase in online and mobile
gaming platforms, there is also a hike in the scams that have been deceiving
people of the internet. Of late, there have been a lot of fraudulent parties
attempting to deceive Internet users, by making them believe that they’ve won a
lottery. Scammers are hunting for the sensitive personal information of the
players such as their name, the address of the player, contact number and bank
account information.
It is high time that people get aware and
alert of such lottery scams. The most common way adapted by these lottery
scammers is via an email, which claims that the user has won a lottery. Whoever
receives such emails with a winning notification have to be aware that gaming
companies issue such winning notifications through email to the members of
their websites and that too when the player has opted in to receive such alerts
via email. Also, the gaming companies check their purchase list before sending
out such notifications.
Never respond to a check which comes
with directions to cash and asks to return a portion of the winning amount. Such checks aren’t valid and they will be returned due to insufficient funds in
the account. Remember that no legitimate gaming or lottery company will ever
send such type of communication.
Player! Don’t fall into the trap when
you are asked for personal information. Of late, there has been a significant
increase in the number of lottery scammers out there who issue Internet-based
claim forms and request the person receiving them to provide their personal
information such as credit card details or the information of their bank
account. Scammers often do such things this through emails or phone calls.
Understand that it is a fraud when you
are asked to pay a fee prior to the release of your winnings! Understand that
you should never send money on such requests. A legally authorized lottery
would never require any advancement payment from the player for the delivery of
the winning prizes.
Players should remember not to redeem a
Lottery ticket for another person they do not know! Players should be very
careful not to pay cash to a person offering a winning ticket.
There are some lottery scammers who make
calls and attract people claiming that they are calling up from a popular
company with a fancy name and trick you into believing in them and they are so
convincing that you may just give them your sensitive personal details. This is
where you have to be cautious and act quickly. Never give away your personal
details over the phone or email. “This should be kind of a thumb rule”.
- Never take any collect calls from people claiming to be Lottery officials.
- Be extremely cautious about sharing your bank account and credit card details with third parties.
- Never buy Lottery tickets from unknown lotteries by phone, emails or internet.
- Do not respond to any emails that ask for your personal details! Beware of phishing.
To save yourselves from such lottery
scams, follow the above guidelines and if you suspect such scams then get
alarmed and report to the concerned authorities.