Jul 16, 2025 | posted by Lily Chavez
Guess what? You're a lucky winner!
While scrolling through social media, you came across a post inviting you to enter your personal information for a chance to win a free vacation to the Bahamas. You couldn’t believe it! You didn’t even think you had a chance—but hey, why not try, right? After all, you can’t win if you don’t enter.
Then, almost immediately after submitting your information, you got a call saying you’d won! Just your luck! But there’s a catch—they urgently need your personal details, credit card number, and ID to claim your prize… or you’ll lose it.
This is where you should pause, or maybe you shouldn't have gotten this far.
Nearly every scam sounds the same. And those classic lines like “You’ve won!” can cost you more than just your time and excitement—they can cost you your identity and peace of mind.
Here are Some Other Common Scam Pitches You Might Recognize:
- You’ve been selected for a special offer!”
- “Act now—this deal won’t last!”
- “We just need a small processing fee.”
- “Confirm your identity to claim your prize.”
- “This is a limited-time opportunity!”
Don’t Fall for It! Here Are Some Quick Tips to Stay Scam-Safe:
- If it feels rushed, it’s probably a scam. Scammers love urgency. If someone’s telling you to act right now or you’ll lose your “prize,” take a breath. Real offers don’t come with pressure.
- Check the source. Got a weird message from a random number or sketchy email? Don’t click anything. Look up the company or agency yourself and contact them directly.
- Too good to be true? It probably is. A free vacation to the Bahamas just for filling out a form? Sounds amazing—but it’s likely bait.
- Watch for typos and weird grammar. Legit companies proofread. Scammers? Not so much. If the message reads like it was written in a rush or by a robot, that’s a red flag.
- Don’t give out personal info. No one needs your Social Security number, credit card, or ID to “confirm” a prize. If they ask, it’s a scam.
- Report it. Got a shady text? Most phones let you report it as junk or spam. You can also forward it to 7726 (SPAM) or report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Check out the full article called “The Dirty Dozen” from the Department of Consumer Protection. It highlights 12 of the most common scam pitches people fall for—and how to avoid them.
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