Fake Survey / Prize SMS Script
Texts congratulate you on winning a prize or being selected for a survey reward and link to a page that asks for card details to cover shipping on a free gift that never arrives.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
You've been selected to receive a [item] — just pay [amount] shipping: [fake link]
Congratulations! You completed our survey and won [prize]. Claim before [date]: [fake link]
[Retailer] Customer Reward: you are today's winner of [amount] in credits. Claim your reward: [fake link]
Final reminder: your unclaimed prize expires in 2 hours. Enter your shipping details and pay [amount] to receive it: [fake link]
What the scammer wants
To make the small shipping or handling fee feel like a trivial cost for a valuable prize, while using the payment page to capture full card details for fraud. Some variants also enroll you in a recurring subscription buried in small print.
Red flags in the message
- Prize for a survey or competition you do not recall entering
- Small shipping or handling fee required to claim a free reward
- Link to a domain that is not an official retailer website
- Tight expiry countdown creating urgency
- Page requests full card details to process a minor shipping charge
- No verifiable company name, address, or terms and conditions
- Small print may enroll you in a recurring monthly charge
A safe response
Delete the text. Legitimate prize or reward notifications do not require card details to pay shipping, and real retailers communicate through their verified apps or official emails — not unsolicited texts with third-party links.
What not to send
- Card or bank details to claim a free prize
- Personal address details on an unverified page
- Any shipping or handling fee via a link in the text
What to do if you already replied
- If you entered card details, call your bank immediately to cancel the card
- Check your statement for unexpected recurring charges and cancel them
- Monitor for further phishing using data you may have submitted
- Report the text to your mobile carrier and national fraud body
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot the full message or call details
- Note the sender number, email, or profile
- Save any links (without clicking) and payment details
- Record dates and times