Prize Claim 'Pay Shipping' Text Scam Examples
A text congratulates you on winning a prize — a gift card, gadget, or cash sum — from a company or sweepstakes you may not remember entering, and asks for a small shipping or processing fee before it can be sent. The small requested amount is designed to feel too minor to worry about compared to the prize on offer. There is no prize; the fee, and any card details entered to pay it, are the entire goal. The scammer may also try to collect personal information alongside the payment. Delete the message without clicking any link or replying.
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
Frequently asked questions
I don't remember entering any contest — how did they choose me?
These messages are usually sent in bulk to large lists of phone numbers with no real connection to any contest entry, so not remembering entering is actually a strong sign it's a scam. A genuine sweepstake you entered would reference specific, verifiable details you'd recognize.
Is it safe to reply STOP to get off the list?
It's generally safer not to reply at all, since replying — even STOP — can confirm your number is active and being read, potentially leading to more messages. Delete the text and use your phone's built-in reporting or blocking feature instead.
I already paid the small shipping fee — should I expect the prize to arrive?
No, treat that money as lost — no genuine prize is coming. Contact your card issuer if you paid by card to ask about disputing the charge, and be alert for follow-up messages asking for additional fees, a common next step.
How can I check if a company really ran a prize giveaway I might have entered?
Go directly to the company's official website, typed yourself rather than through any link in the text, and look for information about active promotions or contact their official customer service. Legitimate companies don't require a fee to release a prize you've genuinely won.