Guest Author - Sandy Lovern
Entering sweepstakes is an exciting hobby, but if you don't take some precautions, it can also be a very perilous one. The Internet can be a scam artist's playpen and you don't want to be caught unaware of the dangers that are out there. Some of the perils are: exposing too much of your private information and computer viruses.
Below are some ways to avoid contest scams and fraudulent operations. You should become very familiar with them.
Never give out your social security number.
Never pay anything to enter a sweepstakes.
Be careful of the information you give over the phone.
Be wary if the email win notification is from a foreign country or a free email account.
Do not call a number in an email, until you verify it through an online phone book source.
Don't cash any checks that just "show up" at your home, you could end up paying serious fines.
Do not send or wire any money to anyone requiring it for your win.
If you are notified of a win through the internet or phone, get the sponsors name, look them up in the phone book and give them a call back immediately, to verify your win.
Don't ever give out your credit card or bank information. Sponsors do not direct deposit money into your accounts.
Delete and block any emails informing you that you have won a "lottery." Winning lottery numbers in the United States can easily be researched, and unless you have bought a ticket outside of the country, it's a pretty sure bet that you are not a lottery winner.
Since your entries require your name and contact information, if a legitimate "win" notice comes to you, it usually contains your name, not a generic "Dear Sir."
Most sweepstakes (especially if a high value prize) notify the winner via UPS or Fed Ex, so they can verify that you indeed, received notification of the win.
But, be not dismayed, there is still nothing better than the thrill of entering and winning sweepstakes. Just use a little caution and a whole lot of wisdom!
Get the inside scoop on how people are winning all of those sweepstakes and contests, and here's a clue, it's not all luck! Sweepstakes Your Guide to Winning! will give you step by step instructions on how to be a winner. To learn more, go to http://www.bellaonline.com/ebooks/ebook160.
To read more from Editor and Author Sandy Lovern, please visit
Sandy Lovern; and Sweepstakes Success
