Frequently Asked Questions
A sweepstakes is a form of incentive promotional marketing where prizes are given away to random participants who enter the contest. Sweepstakes are regulated by state laws and cannot require a purchase to win. Even sweeps that appear to say you need to buy something must offer a non-purchase entry option qhich you will find in the rules if you prefer to mail or call in your entry. This option is usually offered for online sweeps. You will find some sweepstakes are void in certain ststes. This is usually because those states laws required expensive bonding, insurance, or legal restrictions that the promotor did not feel was the worth the effort to offer their prizes to residents of those states.
If the sweepstakes is has legitimate official rules, then odds are it is safe to enter. Also, Look for valid contact information. A scammer will probably not want to be called or emailed. The most common way to enter is by filling out an entry form online or mailing in a postcard with your entry details(usually required for no-purchase entries). The specific entry requirements sould always be outlined in the sweepstakes official rules...always check the official rules. Use common sense and a have good malware program running before you click any dubious links.
Sometimes the official rules placed in pop-ups or in hidden html frames or page layers. In these cases we cannot link directly to the official rules because it is not a seperate webpage with its own URL. We try to to link directly whenever we can but it is not always possible. We always look for the rules and we do not post any sweepstakes that we feel may not be legitimate.
Eligibility requirements vary by sweepstakes, but typically participants must be legal residents of the United States and at least 18 years old. Sweepstakes promotions are not always valid in every state. Usually where the promotion is not offered will be posted somewhere clearly visible. Again, read the official rules.
Winners are typically selected at random from all valid entries received during the sweepstakes period. The beginning and ending times for submitting eligible entries must be included in the official rules.
The sweepstakes sponsor will contact winners by phone, email, or mail within a certain period of time after the sweepstakes has ended. Winners may alsoften be announced on the sweepstakes sponsor's website or social media channels. sometimes you can also request an official list of the winners by mail.
Winners will typically be required to sign and return an affidavit of eligibility and liability release within a certain period of time in order to claim their prize. Prizes may also be subject to state ond/or Federal taxes. Be sure to keep copies of any documents you receive.
NO, there should not be any fees associated with entering a legitimate sweepstakes. Be wary of any sweepstakes that requires a payment or purchase in order to enter or claim a prize, as these may be scams. Look in the rules for a free mail-in entry option.
You can find more information about sweepstakes by visiting the website of the Federal Trade Commission, which regulates sweepstakes promotions in the United States. Your state will likely also have laws and regulations concerning the legal requirements to offer a sweepstakes promotion to its residents.
One major warning signs of a prize scam is if you are asked to pay anything to get your prize. Sweepstakes are free by definition. If you are ever told to pay any sort of fee, or shipping and handling charges, or taxes before you can get your prize, you’re looking at a scam.
