Alert: You Don't Have to Pay to Win!

Every year, people are tricked into spending thousands of dollars on magazines, books, and other merchandise they don't need, in the hopes that their purchases will improve their chances of winning a fantastic prize. Many of these people are elderly, and will wipe out their entire life savings because they believe that winning the so-called sweepstakes will let them leave a significant inheritance for their families.

The exact extent of the problem is unknown, because many victims are embarrassed that they spent so much money on what was essentially a hoax. Many people actually spend more money once they realize that they've dug themselves into a hole, thinking that winning the 'prize' is the only thing that can save them now. Instead of a savings account or retirement fund, they end up with garages stacked floor to ceiling with junk.

The truth is that legitimate sweepstakes will never require a purchase to win, and buying products will never increase your chances of winning. Every legitimate contest and giveaway will include a sentence in the rules that looks something like this:

YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY WON. NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY AND WILL NOT IMPROVE THE CHANCE OF WINNING.

If you or a family member are a victim of this kind of sweepstakes scam, contact your local attorney general. In some cases it is possible to recover the money that has been lost.