Real Charity Raffle vs Fake Prize Draw
Distinguish a genuine charity raffle or prize draw from a fake draw designed to collect personal data or fees.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Fake prize draws imitate charity raffles or brand promotions to collect contact details, processing fees, and payment card numbers. Genuine raffles and prize draws are regulated and transparent. The comparisons below help you participate safely.
Side-by-side comparison
| Real charity raffle | Fake prize draw | |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation | Registered with the Gambling Commission or run under a lottery exemption; charity registered with the Charity Commission | No gambling licence or charity registration number provided |
| Entry cost | Clear ticket price or free entry option by post; no additional fees | Low entry fee followed by 'tax', 'processing', or 'release' charges to claim a prize |
| Prize claim | Prize is sent or collected with no fees due from the winner | Winner must pay upfront to 'release' or 'insure' the prize |
| Contact | Initiated by you; draw results published openly | Unsolicited notification that you have won a draw you didn't enter |
| Data use | Privacy policy visible; data used only for the draw | No privacy policy; data harvested for marketing or sold |
Common red flags
- Notification of winning a draw you didn't enter
- Fee required to 'claim' or 'release' your prize
- No Gambling Commission licence number or charity registration
- Urgency threatening prize forfeiture within hours
- Request for card details to pay a 'tax' or 'processing' fee on winnings
Verification steps
- Check the charity on the Charity Commission register (charitycommission.gov.uk)
- Check lottery or raffle licences on the Gambling Commission register
- Never pay a fee to claim a prize you have genuinely won
- Search the draw name online to check for scam reports
What not to do
- Don't pay any fee to claim a prize
- Don't provide card details to receive winnings
- Don't respond to winning notifications for draws you didn't enter
A safe response
If you receive an unsolicited prize-win notification, treat it as a scam. Delete and report it. If you entered a genuine draw and receive unexpected contact, verify by going directly to the organiser's official website.
Frequently asked questions
Do real prize draws or raffles ever ask winners to pay a fee?
No. A genuine prize is delivered or collected at no cost to the winner. Any request for a fee to claim or release a prize is the defining characteristic of a prize scam.