Prize Claim 'Pay Shipping' Text Scam Examples
Texts congratulate you on winning a prize but require a small shipping or processing fee before it can be delivered — the prize does not exist and any fee paid is lost.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
Congratulations! You have been selected as a [Prize] winner. To claim your [prize description], pay a [amount] shipping fee at: [fake link]. Offer expires in 24 hours.
You are our [Month] lucky winner! Your [prize] is ready to ship. Just cover the [amount] delivery fee to receive your item: [fake link]. Reply STOP to opt out.
WINNER ALERT: Your entry in the [Brand] sweepstake has won [prize]. To release your prize, a [amount] customs clearance fee is required. Claim here: [fake link]
Hi [name]! You have unclaimed loyalty reward points worth [amount] in prizes. Pay a [amount] handling fee to redeem: [fake link]. Expires tonight.
What the scammer wants
To collect a small fee from as many victims as possible under the guise of a prize, while also harvesting card details for further fraud. There is no prize.
Red flags in the message
- You do not remember entering any competition
- A fee is required before you can receive your winnings
- Urgency — prize expires today or within hours
- Link goes to a domain unrelated to the supposed brand running the promotion
- Text is from an unknown number, not an official short code
- Fee escalates — after one payment, a further 'tax' or 'customs' charge appears
A safe response
Delete the text. Legitimate prize draws do not require winners to pay any fees before claiming. If you entered a promotion, verify it directly on the brand's official website.
What not to send
- Shipping or handling fees
- Card details on an unverified site
- Personal ID for prize verification
What to do if you already replied
- If you paid, contact your bank or card issuer immediately to report the fraud
- If you entered card details, request a replacement card
- Report the scam to the FTC and forward the text to 7726 (SPAM)
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