$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
scratch card guaranteed winner scam
Scammers distribute fake scratch cards through mail or in person that always show a winning prize, then direct victims to call a number and pay fees to collect.
“lottery scam”
↑ 72%Key indicators
Usually targetsOlder adults
Often hitsRetirees and seniors
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$640
median reported loss
Typical range$40 – $4.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers mass-mail fake scratch cards designed so that every recipient appears to be a winner
2
Excited recipients call the number on the card, where they are told to pay fees or provide financial details
3
Victims pay fees or are charged for premium-rate calls, and no prize is ever delivered
What to do first
Be suspicious of any scratch card received unsolicited that shows you as a winner
Related terms
fake scratch-off scammail scratch card fraudguaranteed winner card scamLottery and prize scamsPhoneRisingOlder adultsLow-income householdsRural communitiesRetirees and seniorsImmigrants and visa holdersUnited StatesUnited Kingdomfake scratch-off scammail scratch card fraud
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Robert, 35, a older adults, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate lottery and prize scams situation while using Phone. Scammers mass-mail fake scratch cards designed so that every recipient appears to be a winner
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: Excited recipients call the number on the card, where they are told to pay fees or provide financial details
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Victims pay fees or are charged for premium-rate calls, and no prize is ever delivered
The outcome
Robert realized something was wrong when every scratch card shows a winning combination, which is statistically impossible for legitimate promotions. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Be suspicious of any scratch card received unsolicited that shows you as a winner Robert's experience shows why every scratch card shows a winning combination, which is statistically impossible for legitimate promotions and you must call a premium-rate phone number or send money to claim the prize are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Every scratch card shows a winning combination, which is statistically impossible for legitimate promotions
- You must call a premium-rate phone number or send money to claim the prize
- The sponsoring company cannot be found through any online search
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Be suspicious of any scratch card received unsolicited that shows you as a winner
- ✓Research the company behind the promotion before calling any numbers or paying fees
- ✓Report mail-based scams to the US Postal Inspection Service at uspis.gov
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
- ✓Save the full chat or call log before blocking the sender so the reporting path still has the original context.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The UK's National Trading Standards reports that fake scratch card promotions remain a common postal scam, particularly targeting elderly recipients
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Tell close contacts if a phone or text scam used your identity, so scammers cannot reuse the same story against people around you.
- ✓Be suspicious of any scratch card received unsolicited that shows you as a winner
- ✓Research the company behind the promotion before calling any numbers or paying fees
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The UK's National Trading Standards reports that fake scratch card promotions remain a common postal scam, particularly targeting elderly recipients
OpenScam research
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Older adults, Low-income households, Rural communities
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom
Primary channel
Phone — Lottery and prize scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Older adults are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The growing number of reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The UK's National Trading Standards reports that fake scratch card promotions remain a common postal scam, particularly targeting elderly recipients
Source notes
- OpenScam research
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about scratch card guaranteed winner scam
How does the scratch card guaranteed winner scam work?+
Scammers mass-mail fake scratch cards designed so that every recipient appears to be a winner Excited recipients call the number on the card, where they are told to pay fees or provide financial details Victims pay fees or are charged for premium-rate calls, and no prize is ever delivered
What are the warning signs of scratch card guaranteed winner scam?+
Every scratch card shows a winning combination, which is statistically impossible for legitimate promotions You must call a premium-rate phone number or send money to claim the prize The sponsoring company cannot be found through any online search
What should I do if I encounter scratch card guaranteed winner scam?+
Be suspicious of any scratch card received unsolicited that shows you as a winner Research the company behind the promotion before calling any numbers or paying fees Report mail-based scams to the US Postal Inspection Service at uspis.gov
Who is most at risk for scratch card guaranteed winner scam?+
This scam primarily targets Older adults, Low-income households, Rural communities. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom and typically appears on Phone.
Is scratch card guaranteed winner scam on the rise?+
scratch card guaranteed winner scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US, UK. Last updated 2026-04-04.
Related scams
Similar scams to watch out for
AI impersonation
↑ 34%AI voice clone family emergency scam
A caller sounds exactly like a family member in distress and pressures the victim to send money immediately before verifying the story.
What to do first
Hang up and call the family member back directly using a known number.
Targets
Parents
Seen in
U.S.
Smishing
↑ 27%Bank verification text phishing scam
A text message claims a suspicious bank event happened and pushes the victim to a fake login page before they stop to verify the sender.
What to do first
Do not tap the link from the text.
Targets
Mobile banking users
Seen in
Global
Identity theft
↑ 17%Medical billing identity fraud
Stolen identity details are used for medical claims or treatments, leading to fraudulent bills and corrupted records for the victim.
What to do first
Review insurance explanations of benefits regularly.
Targets
Families
Seen in
U.S.
Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.