FTC Warns of Fake Charity Sweepstakes Prize Calls

Scammers are posing as well-known charities and telling previous donors they have won a charity-sponsored sweepstakes. The Federal Trade Commission warns that a request for money or sensitive personal information is a clear sign the supposed prize is fake.

What happened

According to the FTC, criminals impersonate reputable organizations, including charities. A scammer may contact someone who has supported a charity and claim that the donation led to a sweepstakes prize.

The familiar charity name can make the story sound believable. However, the FTC says legitimate prizes do not require winners to pay before collecting them. A caller who asks for a Social Security number in exchange for a prize is also running a scam.

Some real charities and reputable organizations do operate sweepstakes. That does not make an unexpected prize call genuine, and a past donation does not prove that the person contacting you represents the charity.

The FTC alert does not identify particular charities, phone numbers, payment methods, or amounts connected with these impersonation attempts. Treat the behavior—not just the name shown on the phone—as the warning sign.

Who is affected

The warning applies to anyone who receives an unexpected call claiming that a charity has awarded them a prize. People who regularly donate may find the story especially convincing because the caller can connect the supposed award to charitable giving.

Family members who help parents or older relatives manage calls should share the FTC’s simplest test: real prizes are free. A recognizable charity name does not cancel that rule.

What to do now

1. Do not pay to receive a prize. If the caller says you must send money before collecting winnings, end the conversation. The FTC says a payment demand means the offer is a scam.

2. Do not provide your Social Security number. The FTC specifically warns that scammers may request this sensitive information as a condition for releasing the supposed prize.

3. Stop before reacting to the charity’s name. Scammers can impersonate reputable groups. A familiar organization or a history of donating to it does not establish that the caller is legitimate.

4. Explain the warning to other household members. Use one clear rule: nobody should pay or disclose sensitive personal information to claim an unexpected sweepstakes prize. This gives family members a simple response even when the caller’s story sounds convincing.

5. Review the FTC alert directly. Open the government agency’s linked consumer warning instead of relying on instructions supplied by the caller. The alert provides additional information about recognizing prize scams.

6. Treat every unexpected prize claim cautiously. Some organizations run real sweepstakes, but the FTC says a genuine award remains free. A demand for payment or personal information changes the situation into a scam warning.