Are you really a Lucky Winner?
Quite often, we receive several e-mails from our visitors asking us to investigate whether they are indeed a big lottery winner or a winner of some other prize. We will try to guide you with extra information in hopes that you will become more informed and less gullible. We do not want our visitors to be victimized by sophisticated fraud schemes.
From the outset, we would like to tell you that if you have not participated in a lottery by entering your name or buying a ticket, you are most likely not a winner. All too often, instead of being rational and coolheaded, you may think that you finally got an “opportunity of a lifetime”, even though all logic dictates that it is likely a scam. While you ought to be optimistic, you ought not to be naive. Always keep in mind the wise saying: “When something sounds too good to be true, it usually is!”
According to Reuters, one in 10 Internet users falls victim to organized online fraud year after year, losing an average of over $1,300+ each. Many failed to take basic steps to protect themselves, and most of the losses were never recovered.
The most common international lottery scam is an attempt to con unsuspecting victims into sending them money to pay “taxes” due for lottery winnings. The variations of it are to send money to pay for the “delivery” of necessary paperwork, “commission for transferring funds”, “claim transportation fees”, or other costs associated with the “processing” of your claim. Upon receipt of payment (ranging from several hundred to several thousand dollars), the victims are promised they will receive the lottery winnings. However, no such winnings ever arrive. This scam is predominantly perpetrated via email, but victims may also be contacted by phone or by regular mail.
Another type of scam is Internet Check cashing or Sweepstakes Prize Scams. Generally, you would never be asked to pay to enter a legitimate sweepstakes or to collect a prize. If you are asked to pay any fee, it is a strong indication that the sweepstakes is a scam. The underlying principle in most situations remains the same – to steal your hard-earned money!
What can you do to protect yourself?
- Never give anyone money or bank account information before collecting a prize; a legitimate prize company will not ask for money to declare you a winner
- Never give your credit card or bank information over the phone or e-mail to anyone claiming that you have won a prize or attempting to sell you a lottery ticket or membership
- Check with local ordinances to see if you can legally play a foreign lottery through the mail or over the phone without violating any laws
If, after reading this, you are still confused and still think you may have won, take your time and do your own research and due diligence. Due to overwhelming demand for our advocacy, we are unable to provide you with direct personal assistance. We ask you not write to us with questions concerning your specifics and not forward us any copies or attachments of your winning notifications.
Since our observations and interpretations are based solely on the information provided by our visitors, we cannot be held responsible for any actions that may pose a rare risk of losing additional funds or the non-disbursement of legitimate prizes.
Formalogy.com offers only a candid opinion, based on logic, comparisons, and research. The final outcome is entirely determined by your actions and beliefs.
To continue experimenting with our instant and free Lucky Numbers, please visit our homepage.