How do I report a lottery or prize scam?
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the FBI IC3, and the US Postal Inspection Service if you were contacted by mail. In the UK, report to Action Fraud.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Lottery and prize scams tell victims they have won a competition they never entered, then request upfront fees, tax payments, or bank details to release the prize. No legitimate lottery requires you to pay in advance to claim winnings. If you are told to wire money, buy gift cards, or pay via crypto to 'unlock' a prize, it is a scam.
In the US, report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If the notification arrived by mail, it is also a federal mail fraud offence. Report to the US Postal Inspection Service at postalinspectors.uspis.gov. The FBI IC3 handles cases involving internet or phone lottery fraud.
In the UK, report to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk. Also report to the ICO if you received unsolicited marketing materials as part of the scheme. If the lottery impersonated a real lottery operator such as the National Lottery, notify the operator directly so they can warn their customers.
If you paid any fees, contact your bank or card issuer immediately. Document every communication you received about the 'prize' including letters, emails, and phone records. These are evidence in any investigation.
Common red flags
- You won a lottery or prize you never entered
- You are required to pay a fee, tax, or insurance to release the winnings
- Payment must be made by wire, gift card, or cryptocurrency
- The notification uses official-looking logos but requests payment to a private individual
- A 'claims agent' or 'legal representative' is named who cannot be verified
- The prize is time-limited and must be claimed urgently
What to do now
- Do not pay any fee to release a prize
- Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and IC3 at ic3.gov
- Report to the US Postal Inspection Service if the scam arrived by post
- In the UK, report to Action Fraud
- Contact your bank if any payment was made
- See /scams/lottery-prize-scams for how these scams operate
Frequently asked questions
What if I already paid a fee to release my prize?
Stop all payments immediately. Contact your bank to dispute or recall the payment. Report to the FTC and local police. Paying further fees will only increase your losses.
Can a lottery notification arrive by official-looking post?
Yes. Scammers use sophisticated printing to mimic official correspondence, complete with logos and reference numbers. Always verify any unexpected prize notification through the official contact details of the named organisation, not any details in the notification.