Show Me the Money!
Across the country, people are receiving official-looking letters advising them that they have won a lottery or that they must claim their contest winnings, usually from Canada or some other foreign country.
This is a common scheme in which international fraudsters use email, in conjunction with letters and phone calls, to convince victims that they have won an overseas lottery. The goal of the scammers is to trick consumers into sharing bank account numbers or paying up-front fees to claim winnings that never materialize.
To help combat this type of fraud and other counterfeit check scams, Corning Credit Union may ask you some questions when cashing certain checks to determine if the check is a counterfeit. As your Credit Union, it is our responsibility to help protect your financial assets and your personal information.
Skip the Jackpot - CCU tips to avoid being a "victim" of lottery scams:
- Don't enter an online contest unless you're sure the company that runs it is legitimate. Even then, read their privacy policy to see if your information will be sold to marketers. Some scammers run contests to get additional names.
- Watch out for "phishing" sites that bear the logos of brand name companies but request very sensitive personal information, such as bank account or Social Security numbers. A bogus site that looks very official may have an option that says, "I would like to be paid by a bank transfer" and asks for your account number.
- Never make advance payments to receive a "prize" in a sweepstakes.
- Don't provide personal or financial information online, especially for a contest you never entered.
- Be suspicious if you are asked to send funds by wire transfer, especially outside the country.
- Ignore contests that pressure you into responding right away.
- If you cash a counterfeit check, you are responsible for the funds you receive, not the Credit Union.
- Remember: Federal law prohibits mailing payments to purchase any ticket, share, or chance in a foreign lottery.
