Money making scams

Competition scams

You might fill out an online competition or quiz to win a prize or have a bit of fun. But some scams use these to get your personal details and leave you open to fraud.

What to look out for:

• Get a prize by sending money - Some scams ask you to send money for a prize you’ve won in a competition you didn’t enter. Don’t do this.
• Social media or email quiz - Fake competitions and quizzes can be found on social media or by email. Even if it’s shared by a friend it could be a scam.
• They want personal or financial details - Never give any details about your bank accounts. And be careful if you’re asked to give your address or contact details.
• Sign in to social media - Be careful if you’re asked to sign in to your social media. This can give out personal details that could be used for identity theft.
• Unknown site - Scams will try to take you away from safe sites. Don’t click on any links.

What you can do:

• Set up a new email address - If you want to take part in quizzes and competitions set up a new email address for them. This will stop scam emails coming to your main email address.
• Don’t use passwords for quiz answers - Scammers will try to use your quiz answers to log onto your accounts.
• Protect your device - Make sure you have an anti-virus and that your operating system, browser and software are up to date. Your anti-virus software should tell you when a site or a file is unsafe.
• Stay on well-known sites - Check that you're on a genuine site. Look carefully at the web address and make sure there are no spelling mistakes.
• Look for the closed padlock image - This tells you that the link to the site is secure. You can find it in the address bar. A secure site will also have https:// at the start of its address. But remember, these do not mean a site is genuine.

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