Entering A Contest For Fun

By: Jason Petrina



As much as most of us enjoy entering a contest for fun and in the hopes that we might actually win something, we must face the reality that not all contests are on the up and up. Unfortunately, there are some individuals out there who would like nothing better than to take advantage of our hope and enthusiasm and scam us out of our hard earned money. This is a particularly important subject for senior citizens, who are often the victims of such scams. In today’s age of increased technology, it’s also critically important that consumers of all ages learn how to protect themselves from potential contest scams in order to avoid identify theft.

First, make a point to understand the basic rules for contests and sweepstakes. It is illegal for sweepstakes to request or demand money in order to enter. An entry may be requested if the contest is based on skill; however. Never send money in for a contest, unless you are ordering a product. There are some well known sweepstakes and contests that make it available to you to purchase a product, such as a magazine; however this is not a requirement. Usually you may still enter the contest without being required to purchase anything.

Under no circumstances should you give out any financial information, your social security number or any bank account numbers. If you win a contest and it’s legitimate, you will receive your payment without divulging confidential information.

Contests are quite popular online today; however use every caution when entering an online contest and divulging sensitive information. Be very sure of to whom you are sending your information before you hit the send button.

All contests, whether online or offline, are required to furnish a privacy policy. This policy should state how the contest manager will handle your information; particularly if they sell it to third-parties. Be sure you understand what will happen to your info before you submit.

Be vary wary of any contest that offers to publish your poetry or other written work if you enter. Of course, there are plenty of legitimate writing contests; but there are also quite a few which are nothing but scams. You can usually tell the difference between a scam and a legitimate contest by the fact that contests that are legitimate have a sponsor such as a magazine, newspaper or university. Small prizes are offered and there is no charge for your work to be published. Most such contests also offer a free copy of the publication in which your work appears.

Conversely, scam contests typically have no sponsor and require you to pay for both the work to be published and a copy of the publication in which it appears. Such contests also may require you to pay a reading fee. This is a definite clue that you’re dealing with a scam. In some cases, a prize may be offered to you as one of the winners. This usually involves a trip to some type of conference or awards ceremony. The catch; however, is that there is a hefty price tag for the travel arrangements; which you are not allowed to arrange on your own. Basically, you’re buying your trip to the ‘awards’ ceremony and this is how the scammer is making their money.

In some cases, the language of a contest can help to clue you into the fact that it may be a scam. You’ve probably seen contests that promise large numbers of winners. Be very wary of this type of contest.

Finally, don’t forget that if you feel you have been targeted as a victim of a contest scheme, you have every right to report the matter. Perhaps you can help someone else. Contest schemes directed through the mail can be reported to the Postmaster General.




Jason Petrina is the Editor and Publisher of Article Click. For more FREE articles for your ezine and websites visit - www.articleclick.com