Fake Charity Prize Draw Scams in the United Kingdom
UK households, especially older residents, are targeted by mailed and phoned prize draw offers using charitable branding to sell tickets while keeping all proceeds for the organizer.
Part of: Fake Charity Prize Draw Scam
Last reviewed: 13 July 2026
Fake charity prize draws have a long history in the United Kingdom, often arriving as glossy mailers or unsolicited phone calls that describe a large cash prize and a small entry fee, with a portion supposedly going to a good cause. The mailings frequently target older residents using lists bought and resold among fraud operators.
How this scam works on the United Kingdom
A letter or phone call informs the recipient they have been specially selected to enter a prize draw supporting a charitable cause, with entry costing a modest fee payable by cheque, postal order, or card over the phone. The materials often use vague, feel-good charity language without naming a specific registered UK charity, or misuse a real charity's name without authorization.
Victims who respond once are frequently added to 'sucker lists' that are resold to other fraud operators, leading to a growing volume of similar mailings and calls over time. No genuine draw takes place, and follow-up letters may claim the recipient narrowly missed winning to encourage repeat entries.
Common red flags
- An unsolicited UK mailing or call claims you have been specially selected for a charity prize draw
- The charity named is vague, unregistered, or a genuine charity's name is used without any verifiable link
- You are asked to pay an entry fee by cheque, postal order, or card over the phone
- Follow-up letters claim you narrowly missed a prize and invite you to enter again
- The volume of similar mailings or calls increases after you respond once
- There is no Fundraising Regulator registration or Gambling Commission licence referenced where one would normally be required
How to protect yourself
- Do not respond to unsolicited UK prize draw mailings or calls, even once
- Verify any named charity through the Charity Commission for England and Wales, OSCR in Scotland, or the relevant regulator
- Register with the Telephone Preference Service and Mailing Preference Service to reduce unsolicited contact
- Never pay entry fees by cheque or postal order to an unverified organizer
- Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or Citizens Advice before responding to any prize draw request
- Report suspicious mailings to Action Fraud or Royal Mail's scam mail service
How to report it
- Report to Action Fraud (the UK's national fraud reporting service) online or by phone
- Report suspected scam mail to Royal Mail's Scam Mail team, who can investigate misuse of the postal system
- Report misuse of a real charity's name to the Charity Commission or the named charity directly
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to run a prize draw with an entry fee in the UK?
UK gambling law places specific restrictions on prize competitions and lotteries that charge an entry fee, and genuine charity lotteries generally need registration or a licence. An unlicensed operator charging entry fees for a supposed charity draw is likely operating illegally, independent of whether it is also fraudulent.
Can I get my entry fee back if I paid by cheque or postal order?
Recovery is difficult once a cheque or postal order has been cashed, and whether anything can be recovered may depend on the payment method and timing — contact your bank or the Post Office directly to ask about your options. This is one reason these payment methods are favored by fraudulent operators.
Why do I keep getting more of these letters after responding once?
Responding to a fake prize draw, even just by paying a small fee, typically places you on a 'sucker list' that gets resold to other fraud operators, leading to a growing stream of similar offers. Stopping all response, including any that claim to let you 'opt out,' is the best way to slow this.
How do I check if a charity mentioned in a prize draw letter is real?
Search the charity's name and registration number on the Charity Commission for England and Wales website, or OSCR for Scottish charities, and compare the details against what the letter claims. A genuine charity will also confirm directly whether it authorized any prize draw using its name.
Who in the UK can I talk to if an older relative keeps receiving these mailings?
Citizens Advice, Action Fraud, and Royal Mail's Scam Mail service can all help, and some UK banks offer additional safeguarding support for customers believed to be targeted by mail fraud. Removing the person from mailing lists and discussing the scam pattern with them directly can also reduce future responses.