Is that sweepstakes site safe?
Sometimes do you find yourself clicking through sweepstakes sites and thinking, “Hmm… how can this be real”? While it’s great to trust your gut instincts, sometimes it takes some research to confirm that feeling!
I know the age old adage “There is no such thing as a free lunch” pops into our heads sometimes when entering sweepstakes, but it’s true--there are REAL sweepstakes sites like PrizeGrab, Publisher’s Clearing House, and Daily Break Sweeps (3 of my favorites)!
I check out a lot of different sweepstakes websites daily, so I’ve gotten a great idea on how to tell if a sweepstakes site is for real (awesome) or fake (not cool).
Make sure you read these 5 tips on how to tell if a sweepstakes site is legit!
Do they list their rules?
A true sweepstakes website will have a list of rules in place to protect their users, and they will be easy for you to find!
Rules are great for not only the site itself, but it helps keep sweepstakes fair for all of the hard working Super Sweepers who really want to win!
Rules vary depending on the site but usually include the sweepstakes period (start date and end date), number of entries per contest, eligibility terms, and various other information.
If you don’t see rules on a sweepstakes site, that’s a big red flag. But, just to make sure that you’re not overlooking them, be sure to email the sweepstakes site and ask if they have a list of their rules you can view.
Does it seem like the site is legit?
Just like all other businesses and organizations in the world, sweepstakes sites have a strict set of guidelines they have to follow. It’s the law!
Sweepstakes cannot ask for any form of payment in order to enter for a chance to win or receive your prize, force you to purchase items to receive your prize, rig their entries to make sure a certain person is their winner, or lie about people winning prizes.
All legitimate sweepstakes are completely free and the winners are chosen completely at random. Not only that, but they cannot force you to purchase an item in order to enter for a chance to win or better your odds for winning.
Sweepstakes also can't offer one prize for people who make a purchase and one for people who don't, even if the prizes are exactly the same. All of the entries, both with and without purchase, must be treated exactly the same.
Are the prizes clearly listed?
If a sweepstakes site does not have their prizes clearly listed, stop and do some research.
A legitimate sweepstakes website will very clearly have a section on their website marked “prizes” or “sweepstakes” so you can enter easily.
However, a sweepstakes site can still be legitimate and offer separate prizes via various other social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, etc) or email.
Each prize should also have a clear starting and ending date of the entry period so you know how long you have a chance to enter!
Does the sweepstakes ask for the right information?
There’s some basic information that all sweepstakes sites need when you either sign up for their site initially or when you enter for a chance to win each prize.
- Your name
- Your email address
That’s information that they need in order to process your entries, so it’s not a problem.
But, if you run into a sweepstakes site that asks for your credit card information, debit card information, bank account information, social security number, or any other extremely private information, DO NOT ENTER.
That information, if ever needed, will be asked for by the sweepstakes site after you win and only by giving you a copy of a government certified W-9 form to fill out for them.
Honestly, are you getting the Heebie-Jeebies from that site?
Sometimes, as busy humans, we find it hard to listen to our gut instinct.
If you ever check out a sweepstakes, and it seems like something is just “off”-- stop and think! Do some research on the company at the BBB, FTC, internet forums, and online sweepstakes curator sites.
Someone out there will have given some information regarding the site. Make sure you do a lot of research before you enter on that brand new sweepstakes site that makes you feel like something may be wrong.
Our basic instincts are right sometimes!
So, those are the 5 tips that can help even the newest of Super Sweepers roam the internet looking for safe sweepstakes to enter.
Be sure to always ask questions if you feel like something may not be true. But, also do research by checking various internet resources.
Most sweepstakes sites are legit! It just takes one bad apple to ruin the fun of entering sweepstakes, so I suggest sticking to sites that are reputable. :)
As always, make today better than yesterday!
Tom Barker
