We’ve all been there—scrolling through social media or an email inbox when we come across a competition that promises something amazing, like a luxury holiday or the latest tech gadget. It sounds almost too good to be true, right? Unfortunately, sometimes it is. With the rise of online competitions, it’s becoming easier for scammers to reel people in with dodgy giveaways. But don’t worry chuck, there are some telltale signs that can help you spot a sketchy comp from a mile away.
So, before you start entering, here are five red flags to watch out for. Pop the kettle on, and let’s dive into what you should be avoiding!
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1. They ask for too much personal information
Let’s be honest—nobody needs your entire life history to enter a competition. One of the biggest red flags is when a competition asks for an excessive amount of personal information, especially if it feels irrelevant. A legitimate competition will typically ask for basic details like your name and email address, maybe your phone number if it’s necessary to notify you of a win. But (unless it’s necessary for payment processing) when they start asking for your home address, bank details, or even your National Insurance number? Run!
Scammers will often use competitions to harvest personal data, which can then be sold on or used for identity theft. So, if a competition form is asking for more information than you’re comfortable with, it’s time to back away. Note that the Gambling Commission has reasoned that “free” competitions which ask for excessive personal information that they intend to sell on, may actually be illegal lotteries.
Practical tip:
Stick to entering competitions on well-known websites or social media pages of brands you trust. Websites like SuperLucky.me and ThePrizeFinder are great resources for finding reputable UK-based competitions. These sites do a good job of vetting the competitions they list, so you can feel more confident when entering.
2. There’s no obvious end date
Here’s one that should make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Any legitimate competition will have a clear start and end date, usually displayed in the terms and conditions or directly on the competition page. If you come across a comp that seems a bit vague about when it’s ending—or worse, doesn’t list an end date at all—that’s a massive red flag.
Why does this matter? Well, competitions without a clear end date might never actually “end.” Scammers will use this tactic to keep collecting entries and personal data indefinitely, without any intention of ever choosing a winner. Competitions should not be allowed to extend the end date as it is unfair on those who have already entered based on the original terms.
Practical tip:
Always check for an end date before entering a competition. If it’s not obvious on the entry page, it should at least be in the T&Cs. If you can’t find it, don’t bother entering—it’s not worth the risk.
3. There’s no clear way to contact the organiser
If you can’t easily contact the person or company running the competition, that’s a huge red flag. A legitimate competition will almost always provide contact details—whether that’s an email address, phone number, or even a support link—so that entrants can get in touch with questions or concerns.
Now, I’m not saying you need to fire off an email before entering every comp, but the option to do so should be there. If the competition seems to exist in a vacuum, with no contact details or way to verify who’s behind it, alarm bells should be ringing.
Practical tip:
Make sure the competition is being run by a reputable brand or website. If it’s on social media, check that the page is verified (you know, those little blue ticks on Facebook, Instagram, etc.). If you’re unsure about the organiser, do a quick Google search and see if anyone has reported issues with their previous competitions.
Websites like Trustpilot and ScamAdvisor can help you suss out whether a company or page has a dodgy reputation. A lack of contact details coupled with negative reviews? Definitely avoid.
4. They ask you to pay to claim a prize
This is one of the oldest tricks in the book, and it’s shocking how many people still fall for it. You’ve entered a competition, and you’re told you’ve won—brilliant, right? But wait, to claim your prize, you need to pay a “small fee” to cover shipping, processing, or handling. Nope, that’s a massive red flag.
Legitimate competitions will never ask you to pay to claim a prize (and the Gambling Commission does not view such competitions as legitimate ‘free’ competitions, but instead sees them as illegal lotteries). If you’re ever asked for payment, whether that’s cash, a credit card number, or even your PayPal info, it’s most likely a scam. These “fees” are how scammers make their money, and once you pay up, you’ll probably never hear from them again—or worse, you could find your bank account drained.
Practical tip:
If you’re ever asked for money to claim a prize, do not hand it over. Legitimate competition organisers will cover the costs of delivering your prize to you. If in doubt, ask yourself, “Does this seem too good to be true?” If the answer is yes, it’s time to walk away.
Also, don’t be shy about checking with the brand directly if you’ve been contacted about a win. A quick message to their official social media or customer service team can confirm whether it’s real or just a scam.
5. The competition seems “too good to be true”
This one’s a bit more subjective, but trust your gut on this. If a competition seems way too generous or outlandishly valuable for the effort required, it could well be a scam. We all love the idea of winning a £10,000 holiday or a brand-new car, but if all they’re asking you to do is “like and share” a Facebook post, you’ve got to ask yourself—what’s the catch? A common one that has sprung up on Facebook recently is the claim that they have an expensive prize (such as a campervan) which they cannot sell because it is ‘slightly damaged’ in some way, so they’ll give it away if you like/share their page. These are 100% scams.
Scammers often dangle flashy prizes in front of us to lure us into handing over our personal details or money. But legitimate competitions tend to ask for more engagement, like filling out a survey, subscribing to a mailing list, or answering a skill-based question.
Practical tip:
Before entering any high-value competition, check the legitimacy of the prize and the organiser. If it’s on social media, make sure the page has a history of posting genuine competitions. Look at their followers, previous posts, and reviews. Also, take a look at the brand’s official website to see if they’ve mentioned the competition there—most legit competitions will be promoted across multiple platforms.
For example, well-known brands like Omaze UK and Rafflecopter regularly run big prize draws, but they’re very clear about the process and terms. If the details seem murky or incomplete, that’s a sign something’s not right.
Final thoughts
Entering online competitions can be a fun and exciting way to win prizes, but you need to be cautious. Scammers are always on the lookout for new ways to trick people, so keeping an eye out for these red flags can save you from falling into a trap.
Before you enter, take a moment to do a quick check: is the prize realistic? Does the competition have clear terms, an end date, and a way to contact the organiser? Are they asking for reasonable information, or is it starting to feel like an interrogation?
With a bit of awareness and a healthy dose of scepticism, you can avoid the dodgy comps and stick to the legit ones. So, happy comping, but remember—if something feels off, it probably is!