Alright, let’s get real for a moment. We all love the thrill of entering competitions – the excitement of a potential win, that buzz when you click “Enter Now,” and the daydreams about what you’ll do with the prize. But sometimes, not everything is as it seems. If you’ve ever found yourself questioning whether a competition was legit or if you’ve been stung by a scam, you’re not alone.
The world of online competitions is brilliant, but like with anything on the internet, there are a few bad apples out there. Scammers know how to lure people in with flashy prizes and promises of easy wins, but thankfully, there are steps you can take if you think you’ve been scammed. So, grab your cuppa, and let’s go over exactly what you should do if you think you’ve fallen victim to a dodgy competition.
Table of Contents
1. Don’t panic – but act quickly
First things first – don’t panic. It’s easy to feel that sinking pit in your stomach when you realise something’s off, but staying calm will help you act fast and smart. Scammers often rely on people feeling embarrassed or overwhelmed, but the quicker you respond, the better your chances of limiting any damage.
If you’ve given away personal details or clicked on something you shouldn’t have, time is of the essence. The key is to take quick action, but there’s no need to panic or beat yourself up – it happens to the best of us!
2. Assess the situation
Before diving into action, take a moment to assess the situation. What exactly happened? Did you enter a competition and then receive a suspicious email, or were you asked to provide personal details that seemed excessive? Did the “winner notification” ask you to pay for something before claiming the prize?
Here are a few red flags that could indicate you’ve been scammed:
- Being asked for payment details to claim a prize: Legitimate competitions won’t ask you to pay to receive your prize. If you’re being asked for bank details, credit card info, or a “processing fee,” it’s most likely a scam (and also an ‘illegal lottery’).
- Requests for sensitive personal info: Competitions that ask for more than your name, email, or phone number are often suspect. If they’re asking for your National Insurance number, passport details, or anything else highly sensitive, something’s wrong.
- Unrealistic prize offers: If the prize seems too good to be true (like winning a car or huge cash prize just by entering your email), it’s worth taking a closer look.
- Unfamiliar contact methods: Be wary of competitions that contact you through unusual means, like an unrecognisable WhatsApp number, a random text message, or a social media DM from an unofficial-looking account.
Once you’ve identified what seems off, you can take the right steps to protect yourself.
3. Stop engaging with the scammer
If you suspect you’ve been scammed, the first thing to do is stop all communication with the scammer. Whether it’s by email, social media, or phone, don’t respond further. Scammers often rely on keeping you engaged to trick you into providing more information or making payments.
If you’ve received a dodgy email or message, don’t click on any links, download attachments, or continue the conversation. Simply stop engaging. If it’s via social media, block the account immediately. The more you interact, the more likely you’ll be targeted for further scams.
4. Change your passwords and secure your accounts
If you’ve entered a competition through a website and shared your email, social media login, or other account details, it’s a good idea to change your passwords immediately. This helps protect your accounts in case any of your details have been compromised.
Here’s what you should do:
- Change the password for your email: Start with your email account, as this is often the most sensitive account. If scammers get access to your email, they can reset passwords for other accounts.
- Change any associated passwords: If you entered the competition using social media (like Facebook or Instagram), make sure to change those passwords as well.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Adding an extra layer of security to your accounts (like a code sent to your phone) can help prevent unauthorised access.
If you’ve reused the same password on multiple accounts, this is the perfect time to make sure each account has a unique password. A password manager can help you keep track of them all.
5. Check for suspicious activity
After securing your accounts, take a few minutes to check for any suspicious activity. This could be on your bank accounts, email, or social media. If you shared payment details (like credit card or PayPal), it’s especially important to keep an eye out for unauthorised charges.
- Bank accounts: Review your bank and credit card statements for any unexpected transactions. If you spot anything suspicious, contact your bank immediately to report the fraud and have the card blocked or replaced.
- Email account: Look for any unfamiliar emails or changes to your email settings, like automatic forwarding to another address or unusual login alerts.
- Social media: Make sure no one has accessed your account or posted on your behalf. If any suspicious logins have occurred, update your settings and secure your account.
The sooner you catch any dodgy activity, the easier it is to resolve before it causes further damage.
6. Contact your bank or card provider
If you’ve been asked to provide payment information – even if you didn’t go through with it – it’s always a good idea to contact your bank or card provider as a precaution. Explain the situation, and they can advise you on the best course of action.
If you did provide payment details or made a payment to a scammer, let your bank know immediately. They can block your card, help recover any lost funds, or cancel unauthorised transactions. Banks are usually pretty quick to act when it comes to fraud, so don’t hesitate to reach out.
7. Report the scam
Reporting a scam is an important step in helping protect others from falling victim to the same trick. In the UK, you can report a scam to the Action Fraud website, which is the UK’s national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre. They’ll take the details and look into the case.
Here’s how you can report the scam:
- Action Fraud: Visit actionfraud.police.uk to report the scam. You can do this online or over the phone at 0300 123 2040.
- The website or social media platform: If you entered the competition via a website or social media platform, report the scam to the site’s administrators. Most platforms, like Facebook or Instagram, have reporting tools specifically for scams.
- Your email provider: If you were contacted via email, report the scam to your email provider by flagging it as phishing. This helps stop the scammer from targeting others.
The more people report scams, the harder it becomes for scammers to continue operating. So, even if you’re not sure it’ll make a difference, it’s worth reporting.
8. Be cautious in the future
Now that you’ve taken the right steps to protect yourself, it’s important to stay cautious moving forward. Scammers are always coming up with new tricks, so staying vigilant is key.
Here are a few ways to protect yourself from future scams:
- Check the source: Always verify the legitimacy of the prize draw before entering. If it’s a big-name brand, check their website or social media to ensure the competition is real.
- Be wary of unsolicited contacts: If you receive a winner notification for a competition you don’t remember entering, be cautious. Scammers often send fake “win” emails to try and get personal or payment information.
- Don’t share unnecessary details: Only provide the information that’s absolutely necessary when entering a competition. If they’re asking for more than seems reasonable, it’s a red flag.
- Read the terms and conditions: A legitimate prize draw will have clear terms and conditions explaining how winners are chosen and what to expect.
9. Educate yourself and others
Lastly, educate yourself (and those around you) about the different types of scams out there. Scammers can be very clever, and their tactics change all the time. By staying informed, you can spot a scam before it gets too far.
If you’ve been scammed, sharing your experience with others – whether through online forums, social media, or comping communities – can help raise awareness and prevent others from falling into the same trap. The more we talk about these scams, the less power they have!
Wrapping it up
If you think you’ve been scammed by a competition, don’t panic – it happens to the best of us. The key is to act quickly, secure your accounts, and take the right steps to protect your personal information. By staying cautious, reporting the scam, and educating yourself, you can continue to enjoy entering competitions with peace of mind.
At the end of the day, while there are a few bad apples out there, most competitions are genuine and safe to enter. Stick to the trusted sites, keep your wits about you, and don’t let a scam ruin the fun of comping!