Is a prize notification sent by official-looking letter in the mail real?
No. Printed prize letters that say you have won a car, cash, or holiday are scams that require a fee to claim the non-existent prize.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Mail prize notifications are a long-running advance-fee scam. The letter is printed on professional-looking paper with logos, gold seals, and a cheque for a fictional prize amount. To claim, you must call a premium-rate number, visit a website, or send a small 'administration' or 'tax' fee. Once the fee is paid, the prize never arrives and contact ends. Some letters use real-sounding competition body names. Genuine prize draws notify winners by recorded delivery and never require a fee to claim — expenses for a real prize are covered by the promoter. If you receive one, do not call the number or send any money.
Common red flags
- Letter says you have won a substantial prize you have no memory of entering
- Fee, tax, or processing charge required to release the prize
- Premium-rate telephone number to claim
- Letter was addressed to your name using data likely sourced from marketing lists
- Urgency — prize must be claimed within a short window
What to do now
- Do not call any premium-rate number or send any money
- Discard the letter or keep it as evidence if reporting
- Report to your national postal fraud or consumer protection authority
- Alert elderly relatives who may be on mailing lists targeted by this scam
Frequently asked questions
The letter has my full name and address — could it be genuine?
Name and address mailing lists are widely sold for marketing purposes. Having your details does not make the prize real.