Common Reward Scams in the US and How to Report Them

Scammers know people love rewards, so they build fake offers around them. Learn the patterns and you can avoid most of the traps.

Common reward scams

• Fake prize notifications: You are told you have been selected for a prize, but you must pay a fee first.
• Impersonating brands: Messages that claim to come from well-known companies, offering rewards for a short survey.
• Phishing links: Emails or texts with links that lead to fake login pages designed to steal your information.
• Advance fee requests: You are asked to pay taxes, shipping or processing fees to unlock a reward.
• Fake reward apps: Apps that collect personal data or push endless ads and never pay.
• Subscription traps: A “reward” that signs you up for recurring charges hidden in the fine print.

Warning signs

• You did not enter anything but you are told you qualified
• You must pay to receive the reward
• Pressure to respond quickly
• Requests for prepaid card numbers, wire transfers or crypto
• Requests for passwords, Social Security number or bank login
• Poor spelling and mismatched links

How to protect yourself

1. Do not click links in unexpected messages. 2. Go directly to the company’s official website by typing the address yourself. 3. Never pay to receive a reward. 4. Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication. 5. Read terms before joining any program.

What to do if you clicked

• Change any passwords you entered, starting with your email
• Contact your bank or card issuer if you shared financial details
• Watch your accounts and credit reports for unusual activity
• Consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze

Where to report

• FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
• Identity theft help: IdentityTheft.gov
• FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: ic3.gov
• Your state attorney general’s consumer protection office
• The company being impersonated

Help others

Sharing what you learn with family and friends can prevent them from becoming targets, especially older relatives.

Bottom line

If a reward is real, it will not ask you to pay first or rush you into a decision. When in doubt, verify through official channels, and report anything suspicious.

This article is for general information only and is not financial, legal or tax advice. See our Disclaimer.