Ohio woman, 76, swindled out of $89K after scammer claimed she’d won a $3M sweepstakes jackpot — but she had to pay the taxes first. Now police are searching for other potential victims

How do scams like this work?

Investigators say the fraudster posed as a sweepstakes employee, phoning the victim in March and insisting the windfall couldn’t be released until upfront taxes were paid — an approach straight out of the classic prize‑scam playbook.

Scammers often add pressure by invoking trusted names — like Publishers Clearing House — claiming official oversight and urging victims to “act now” before the offer expires, says the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). They may direct targets to wire money, send gift cards or — in this case — mail checks to out‑of‑state addresses that are hard to trace.

Con‑artists may also spoof caller ID so the number looks like it comes from Publishers Clearing House or even a government agency. Or, they might mail official‑looking letters, complete with fake seals or phony tax forms to build trust.

Once the victim pays the first fee, the scammer often invents new hurdles — customs duties, courier charges or even “anti‑terror compliance” certifications to milk the victim for even more payments.

The FTC notes three tell‑tale signs of prize and sweepstake scams:

• Real prizes never require payment
• Odds of winning can’t be boosted by a fee
• No legitimate contest needs your banking or Social Security numbers.

Fraud like this is increasingly common, especially for seniors, who may be lonely, less tech-savvy or less aware of new scam techniques.

According to the FTC, Americans over the age of 70 lose more per scam than any other age range. But young people fall for scams more often, so people of all ages need to know how to spot these scams.

Dave Ramsey’s plan has people crushing debt fast

Drowning in debt? Dave Ramsey’s viral 7-step method is helping people wipe it out and finally build real savings. No gimmicks—just a clear plan that works. Moneywise breaks it down so you can get started in minutes. If you’re serious about getting ahead, don’t miss this.

See the steps

How to avoid falling victim to prize or sweepstake scams

According to the FTC, genuine sweepstakes are free and random. Any request for cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency or personal data is a red flag. If a stranger contacts you about a prize, look the company up yourself — using a verified phone number or website — to verify the company is real. Never rely on numbers or links that the caller or an email provides.

If you’ve paid already, the quicker you act, the better. Report the transaction to your bank or card issuer, file a complaint at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and contact your state attorney general. If the scammer contacted you by mail, notify the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The faster you report the scam, the more likely you are to get some of your funds back.

If personal data was shared, visit IdentityTheft.gov for recovery steps. Spreading the word to friends and relatives — especially older family members — can prevent the next would‑be winner from becoming the next victim.

A final reminder: Unsolicited prize calls, emails or brochures in the mail are almost always too good to be true. The safest response is to hang up, delete or recycle — before the only thing you’re left holding is an empty checkbook.