Prize and Lottery Scam Phone Numbers in Boston, MA
Prize and lottery scam calls claim you have won a large cash prize, sweepstakes award, or government grant — but must pay processing fees, taxes, or insurance upfront to claim your winnings. The prize does not exist. Any upfront payment is lost immediately. 2,811 prize and lottery scam phone numbers reports have been filed by Boston residents. In Massachusetts, residents filed 81,434 fraud reports last year totalling $210 million in losses (FTC Consumer Sentinel).
How this scam works in Boston
Caller congratulates you on winning a lottery, sweepstakes, or government grant
They say you must pay a small fee to release the prize — taxes, insurance, or processing
After you pay, they ask for more fees, or disappear entirely
The prize never materializes
Red flags Boston residents have reported
You are told you won a contest you never entered
Any upfront fee to 'release' a prize
Caller emphasizes secrecy — 'don't tell your family'
Payment requested via gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency
Deadline pressure — 'claim it today or lose it'
What to do if you get this call in Boston
Hang up — legitimate prizes do not require upfront payment