AhaBulb: Stuff Everyone Should Know · ahabulb.com/prize-upfront-fee
A caller says you won a vacation but must pay a fee first. What should you do?
Hang up.
- Pay after seeing an official-looking email
- Pay with a card for protection
- Hang up ✔
Why: A real prize does not require payment to collect it. Treat the fee demand as a scam.
Huh, didn't know that: Prize scammers may call the fee taxes, registration, or shipping.
Why did the bicycle fall over? It was two-tired.
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References
Answer: Hang up. A real prize does not require payment to collect it. Treat the fee demand as a scam.
- FTC: Phone Scams consumer.ftc.gov/articles/phone-scams
Hang up. After you pay, you find out there is no prize.
Checked 2026-10-09.
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