Sweepstakes Listings and How to Avoid Scams

So you're interested in becoming a "Sweeper". Sweepers are individuals who persistently enter and win contests and sweepstakes. Sweepers win everything from toaster, to IPods, to trips, to cars, and even cash.

Page 2 of this article lists specific sweepstakes and sites that specialize in listing sweepstakes from companies. But before you begin Sweeping, here are 10 tips from the National Consumers League's Internet Fraud Watch on how to avoid an internet scam.

1. Never pay to play or claim a prize.
2. Buying something doesn't improve your chances of winning.
3. Don't believe you must give the company money for taxes on your prize.
4. Be cautious about emails for contests and sweepstakes. Many unsolicited emails are fraudulent.
5. Guard your credit card and bank account numbers.
6. Never give your social security number to a sweepstakes operator.
7. Be on guard for imposters. Some con artists use company names that are identical or very similar to well-known, legitimate sweepstakes operators.
8. Be wary of offers to send you an "advance" on your "winnings."
9. Legitimate sweepstakes will tell you exactly how the contest works, odds of winning, value of prizes, date contest ends, and how to find out who won.
10. Be especially cautious about foreign sweepstakes companies.

For more information on how to avoid an internet fraud scheme, visit the National Consumers League's Internet Fraud Watch site at http://www.fraud.org/tips/internet/sweepstakes.htm and the Better Business Bureau at http://www.bbb.org.