The FTC warns that scammers posing as real charities are calling past donors with a made-up prize, and the goodwill makes the pitch easier to believe.
If a call says you won a charity sweepstakes, be careful. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says scammers are pretending to be well-known charities and telling people they won a contest the charity supposedly sponsors. The reason given is often that you donated before.
Impersonators copy all kinds of organizations, and reputable charities are on the list. Using a charity's name helps a scammer sound trustworthy right away. The prize story adds a thank-you feel, as if the win is a reward for being generous. That is what makes it different from a random prize call.
Anyone who gives to charity could get one of these calls. The risk is highest for people who get an unexpected call about a prize or contest they never entered. A real donation history is not needed. The caller only has to claim one.
The alert box above lists the steps. The main idea is simple: do not trust the caller's word, and check the claim yourself using a number you look up. Never give bank, card or personal details to someone who called you out of the blue.
The FTC notice does not say how many people have been called, how much money has been lost, or which charities are being copied. It also does not say how the scammers choose their targets. Until more is known, treat any surprise prize call tied to a charity as suspect, even if the name sounds familiar.
If a charity calls to say you won a contest you never entered, hang up and check with the charity using a number you find yourself.
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