Checking Prize Notifications Safely

A prize notification is good news to begin with, but it is still worth a quick check. The most important first step is to ask whether you really entered the competition mentioned. If the promoter, the prize and the approximate entry period match what you remember, that is already a useful plausibility check.

Next, check the sender. With an email, the domain should match the promoter or a service provider that has plausibly been appointed by them. With messages on social networks, it is worth checking whether the account really is the official one. Similar-sounding usernames, extra characters or newly created profiles are used again and again for fake prize messages.

Be especially careful if you are unexpectedly asked for money before an ordinary prize is handed over. Fees for supposed activation, insurance or simply receiving the prize are a warning sign. Credit card details, online banking access or passwords should also not be sent on the strength of an unexpected prize message.

Some genuine promoters need additional details to fulfil a prize, for example a delivery address or, for certain trips, information for the booking. What matters is that the request fits the specific prize and the way you are contacted makes sense. If in doubt, do not click the link in the message directly, but visit the promoter's official website separately.

Closing dates and deadlines also play a role. Terms and conditions may require winners to respond within a certain period. A plausible notification should therefore not simply be ignored. At the same time, no genuine prize is a reason to skip security checks.

Mitspiel UK publishes winner information only where it is verifiably available or has been released accordingly. The actual prize notification and handover, however, are carried out by the promoter concerned. If you are unsure, use their officially published contact details and ask them directly.