GREENWICH, CT — The Greenwich Police Department is warning residents about a scam after getting reports from residents who received a letter claiming they had won the Best-Way Sweepstakes worth $947,000.
The letter goes on to say that an advance check was sent for residents to cover “outstanding fees.”
“You have to pay to get your prize. Real prizes are free. So if someone tells you to pay a fee for taxes, shipping and handling charges, or processing fees to get your prize, you’re dealing with a scammer,” the GPD said in a Facebook post Tuesday afternoon.
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“If they ask you to pay by wiring money, sending cash, or paying with gift cards or cryptocurrency to get your prize, don’t do it. Scammers use these payments because it’s hard to track who the money went to. It’s almost impossible to get your money back,” police continued. “They say paying increases your odds of winning. Real sweepstakes are free, and winning is by chance. It’s illegal for someone to ask you to pay to increase your odds of winning. Only a scammer will do that.”
Police noted that there’s no reason to ever give bank account or credit card information to any prize or sweepstakes.
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“If they ask for this information, don’t give it. It’s a scam,” police said. “Pass this information along to your family and friends in an effort to avoid anyone…
