MAKE-A-WISH

A new scam is popping up across the country using the name of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, according to a recent media release from the foundation.

A resident will receive a call from the “Consumer Protection Agency” or the “Federal Trade Commission” saying the resident has won second place in a Make-A-Wish Foundation sweepstakes – a $450,000 prize; however, $4,500 in processing fees must be paid to claim the award.

The caller will offer to lend the money and asks for bank account information to wire the money to the resident.

There is typically a follow-up call explaining the grand prize winner is ineligible because he was an illegal immigrant, therefore, the resident receives the $450,000 prize plus the $1 million grand prize.

The scammer will provide a phone number to verify the “Make-A-Wish Foundation Sweepstakes” is legitimate, but the resident is just calling a scammer who is part of the criminal enterprise.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation never engages in sweepstakes. There is no such agency as the “Consumer Protection Agency” and the Federal Trade Commission does not handle sweepstakes.

The agency does, however, investigate fraudulent sweepstakes. A similar scam occurred seven years ago, and the criminals were able to steal more than $20 million before being shut down.

Residents who receive a call like this should hang up and then notify the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-HELP or ftc.gov/complaint.