Fake Raffle Text Scams via SMS
How fraudulent SMS messages claim recipients have won a raffle or prize draw, directing them to click links or call numbers that lead to data harvesting or fee extraction.
Part of: Fake Raffle Text Scams
Last reviewed: 8 June 2026
SMS is a highly effective channel for prize notification fraud because text messages have extremely high open rates and create an immediate, personal sense of direct communication. A text claiming you have been selected as a raffle winner arrives in the same inbox as genuine messages from banks, parcel delivery services, and personal contacts — reducing the automatic scepticism that might apply to a promotional email.
Fake raffle text scams have become more sophisticated with mobile phishing (smishing) techniques: links in messages may load convincing fake websites of real brands, retailers, or lottery organisations, complete with winner claim forms. The mobile context makes it harder to inspect link destinations before clicking.
Brands commonly impersonated in SMS raffle scams include well-known supermarkets, mobile phone providers, and parcel delivery companies — organisations that legitimately communicate with consumers by SMS.
How this scam works on SMS
A text message arrives claiming the recipient has won a prize in a raffle or loyalty draw associated with a familiar brand. The message contains a link to claim the prize before it expires. The link leads to a convincing but fake brand website presenting a claim form.
The claim form collects name, address, and email address, then prompts a small payment to cover delivery of the physical prize or an administration fee. Card details are collected at the payment stage. In credential-harvesting variants, the site asks the target to log in with their account credentials for the impersonated brand.
No prize is dispatched. The card details and personal information are retained for fraudulent use.
Common red flags
- Text announces a raffle win for a draw you did not enter
- Message creates urgency with a claim expiry time — claim within 24 hours or forfeit the prize
- Link in the text leads to a website URL that does not precisely match the official brand domain
- Claim process requests card payment for delivery or administration
- Message arrives from an unfamiliar number, not from the brand's official short code or sender name
- Claim site asks for account login credentials for the impersonated brand
How to protect yourself
- Do not click links in unexpected prize notification texts
- Navigate directly to the brand's official app or website to check for any genuine promotional win
- Verify any claimed prize by calling the brand using a number from their official website
- Never enter card details on a website reached through a text link
- Forward suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) in the UK, or to your carrier's spam reporting number
How to report it
- Forward the SMS to 7726 (UK) to report it to your network carrier
- Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov (US) or Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk (UK)
- Report to the impersonated brand so they can alert their customers
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a prize text is genuine?
Legitimate brand promotions do not require payment to claim prizes and do not create urgent claim deadlines by text. Always verify a claimed prize directly through the brand's official app or website, never through the link in the message.