However, there are plenty of downright phony lotteries, sweepstakes and games continually appearing on the scene. They may arrive in your old-fashioned mailbox, in your email or via the phone. 

Definitions

A legitimate sweepstakes is a promotion in which prizes are awarded to participating consumers - by chance. No purchase or entry fee is required to collect the winnings. 

On the other hand, if a purchase is required, such as a ticket, then it's a lottery. A lottery and a sweepstake do not come in the same package.

                                Red Flags

If you encounter any one of these, do not take the requested action.

You're asked for money. Legitimate sweepstakes never insist that you pay for shipping the money won to your home or office. Nor do they require you to pay them for taxes due on the winnings.

A legitimate-sounding person insists upon money. Many scammers say they are with a bank, credit union or nationally recognized company. Again, do nothing.

Bottom line: Never give money to claim money.

Someone says he/she is close to you or a friend of yours. Scammers obtain names of family, friends and colleagues through social media or by hacking into your e-mail account. A defensive move: Ask the caller a personal question about the person he/she is pretending to be - a question that a stranger would not know how to answer accurately.

Respond today. Do not be taken in by the line, "This prize is available only today," or "only for 24 hours." Ignore and instead take time to check out any and all offers (see sources below).

Send money by wire. Or you might be asked to send a check or money order by overnight delivery. Scammers use this tactic as a way to get your money but you, in turn will receive ditto.

The government is handling this sweepstakes. This scam typically involves a Washington (DC) or Virginia telephone number or mailing address. Federal agencies neither monitor nor regulate sweepstakes.

                                HELP!

o For evaluating emails that seem suspicious, go to: http://www.snopes.com/. This website covers urban legends, rumors and misinformation. Type "sweepstakes" in the Search Box. Snopes does not specialize in fraudulent lotteries and sweepstakes but it does post updated information about a number of them as they appear on the scene. You'll find the information about urban legends fascinating, even if it doesn't relate to sweepstakes.

o At: http://www.consumerfraudreporting.org/ you'll find a list of current lottery and sweepstakes scam companies. Before you participate in any game, refer to this list.

o Both local and national Better Business Bureaus enable you to check out the reputations of sweepstakes promoters. Go to: http://www.bbb.org/.

o At: http://www.powerball.com/ there's information on the growing number of crossborder game scams operated out of foreign countries. On the left side of the home page, click on "Lottery Scams."

o More information on protecting yourself against scams and frauds is available from the Federal Trade Commission at: www.ftc.gov/ScamWatch.