Member Alert: Make-A-Wish Foundation Sweepstakes!

How does it work?

The scammer calls from the “Consumer Protection Agency” or the “Federal Trade Commission” to tell you that you have won 2^nd place in a Make-A-Wish Foundation sweepstakes. The caller tells you that you must pay a processing fee (they are reportedly asking for $4,500 dollars) to claim your reward/prize.

If you don’t have the money the caller says that it is not a problem; they will just lend you the money. They will then ask for your bank account information to wire it to you.

There is often a follow-up call explaining that the grand prize winner is ineligible. So guess what? You win the grand prize too. You just need to pay extra money for the processing.

The scammer will even give you a phone number so you can call to verify that the “Make-A-Wish Foundation Sweepstakes” is legitimate, but you are just calling another scammer who is a part of this criminal enterprise.

What do you need to know?

• The Make-A-Wish Foundation NEVER engages in sweepstakes.
• There is NO such agency as the Consumer Protection Agency AND, although the Federal Trade Commission is a real organization, it does NOT handle sweepstakes (though they do go after fraudulent ones).
• A similar scam occurred seven years ago, and the criminals were able to steal more than $20 million before it was shut down.

What should you do?

• If you get a call like this hang up!
• If you, or someone you know, receive a call regarding this bogus Make-A-Wish Foundation Sweepstakes, please notify the Federal Trade Commission at 877-FTC-HELP or www.ftc.gov/complaint.

When it comes to fraud, vigilance is our number one weapon. Please share this alert with friends and family. 

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