(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The promise is a big payoff. The reality is a big loss with sweepstakes and lottery.
It all begins with a phone call, email, or letter claiming you’re the big winner in a sweepstakes or lottery.
Legitimate sweepstakes and lotteries require an entry. However, many people fall victim to scams they never entered.
Victims of these fraudulent schemes tend to be older people, paying upfront fees to collect their winnings, and payments can go on for weeks or months, costing hundreds, even thousands of dollars.
Red flags include:
-Being asked to pay upfront fees
-Having to provide personal or financial information
-Being told that paying will increase your chances
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