Prize Pitch (Lottery) Scams

The classic prize pitch scam involves victims receiving notification by post, phone, or e-mail indicating they have won a prize (monetary or other valued item).

However, in order to collect the prize the victim is required to pay various fees or taxes in advance. Victims either never hear from the organization again or receive further requests for money. If you have won a prize in Canada there are no fees or taxes to be paid.

Tips

• keep track of contests, draws and lotteries you enter
• challenge a caller who says you've won a prize to tell you where and when you entered
• remember: there are no prize fees or taxes in Canada

Links

• ABC's of Fraud - Online Fraud Quiz