"It's my lucky day!" may be the first response to a Reader's Digest Sweepstakes win notice. However, some consumers are realizing they are actually the "unlucky" recipients of a scam.
Better Business Bureau warns that fake Reader's Digest Sweepstakes have been circulating across the country for years. Consumers should be on the look out for one version that appears to have ties to Washington.
In a recent example BBB serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington received, the letter has a fax number with a Washington area code and the envelope was postmarked in Seattle with no return address. However, the call-back number is from British Columbia, Canada.
To appear legitimate, fake letters sometimes use well known business logos or misuse BBB's Accredited Business logo to falsely imply BBB Accreditation.
The real Reader's Digest is a BBB Accredited Business and does have a real sweepstakes; however, scam artists frequently impersonate them.
How to check Reader's Digest Sweepstakes legitimacy:
- Visit the legitimate Reader's Digest Sweepstakes page at www.rd.com/sweepstakes. It currently states: "Winners receive an official notification letter in the mail from Ronald J. Leslie, Sweepstakes Director."
- Don't call the phone number on the notification; use a trusted Reader's Digest source. Their website shows the customer service number is 1-800-310-2181.
- Never forward money to receive sweepstakes winnings. Scams may ask for a credit card or bank account number, check, money order, wired money or other finances in order to pay for taxes, fees, shipping or other bogus reasons. In legitimate cases any fees would be taken out before winnings are received and taxes would be filed with tax returns to the IRS.
For more scam prevention tips, visit www.bbb.org.
About your BBB serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington:
Your Better Business Bureau is a not-for-profit organization funded by Better Business Bureau Accredited Businesses. The BBB's mission is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. For more information about the services and products provided by your BBB, call 206-431-2222 or 253-830-2924 in Washington, 503-212-3022 in Oregon, 907-562-0704 in Alaska, or visit our Web site at www.bbb.org.