Why is it always timeshares? What makes them so ideal to sucker people with? I've seen these scams all over the world.
Why nobody ever wins the car at the mall
81–90 of 471 posts
Re: Why nobody ever wins the car at the mall
#82Earlier quoted context omitted.
Well this is solved by asking the SSN to redeem the prize, but not before the draw.
The solution is probably a two-part form where the winner can fill in their SSN and seal it in an envelope, then the contest operator would take that envelope and enclose it with the operator's part of the form, and mail it. That way the contest operator need not ever see the winner's SSN. The amusing thing is the apparent widespread assumption that contest operators are shady as f.
"Here is a code. Please go onto the IRS website and enter this code and the relevant information, then tell me the code you get in response."
Re: Why nobody ever wins the car at the mall
#83Earlier quoted context omitted.
Why haven't they all been shutdown if they are clearly illegal? Also, I've seen these across the country.
It is incredibly frustrating that police don’t seem to actively enforce the majority of the laws. My local police seem anemic. There sure are a lot of them, though. Patrol cars are always visible. And, (right-wing) politicians seem to always want to be hiring more and upgrading their gear. For instance, recently they asked for a $30M shooting range. But, if the local newspapers are a good record, it seems that all th…
It depends on the structure of the municipality. You may have a civilian oversight board which has some level of control, and this could be an elected or appointed position. The other option being to become mayor, city manager, or whatever chief executive your area has with oversight over the police force.
Re: Why nobody ever wins the car at the mall
#84Earlier quoted context omitted.
I think it's one of these cultural differences between the USA and Europe. There might be more bureaucracy in Europe, but these officers actually do the work they're paid for. E.g. as for the superannuation issue, you could probably get a court order within 2-3 months here.
for an alternative viewpoint, I'm from the UK and I see these car sweepstake scams all over the place. I think the region you're in has a strong impact on what the police's priorities are, due to different leadership.
> I see these car sweepstake scams all over the place
Are you sure it's the same scam? A car sweepstake is a real thing outside of the particular scam mentioned.
Re: Why nobody ever wins the car at the mall
#85Earlier quoted context omitted.
There's generally no one doing the work basically. A gym I went to had notoriously bad competitions and advertising. It was never the "last memberships available" and there wasn't actually "10 days left" the counter just changed back on the final day. No one ever got the prizes either, they just never announced a winner, and a new competition started the same day. People still signed up by the hundreds. Hundereds of…
I think it's one of these cultural differences between the USA and Europe. There might be more bureaucracy in Europe, but these officers actually do the work they're paid for. E.g. as for the superannuation issue, you could probably get a court order within 2-3 months here.
ehnto mentions the ombudsman. I don't think they have this position in the U.S
Re: Why nobody ever wins the car at the mall
#86I remember a few years back walking on the beach with my dad and some similar time share scam people asked us if we wanted to enter a competition. We were handed two scratch cards with various prizes; cash, a holiday or the grand prize of a car. Obviously all the scratch cards were winners for the holiday. My dad scratched his card and said "Oh great, I won the car!" The scam guys eyes opened wide and he had a confus…
What the scam? "Free flight" if you buy the timeshare or something?
They make it seem like they want to give you something free, but their only intention is to get money from you i guess
Re: Why nobody ever wins the car at the mall
#87Earlier quoted context omitted.
As an individual authenticating callers is difficult. I recently had someone claiming to be from the ATO (Australian Taxation Office) call and ask me to identify myself. Not surprising, my tax filing is overdue. I advised them as a security policy I do not give out PII to unauthenticated callers, asked for a reference number and a return phone number. The number I was given is not listed on the ATO website so I did n…
I think just call back on one of their listed numbers and explain.
It seems so obvious now you've pointed it out. I do like to over complicate things.
Re: Why nobody ever wins the car at the mall
#88Earlier quoted context omitted.
Well this is solved by asking the SSN to redeem the prize, but not before the draw.
As mentioned, this is only asked of winners to collect their prize, after the draw. If they won they must be contacted to verify and get info to send them the prize. Since it is a transfer of value, the SSN has to be known for the 1099 form that is required by the IRS after $600 in value being transferred. It is also required if the sponsor gives it as a gift, pays the tax portion and for the sponsor to expense it ou…
Thanks for clarifying
Re: Why nobody ever wins the car at the mall
#89Since this is a California on-site thing, California sweepstakes law applies.[1] - "The exact nature and approximate value of the prizes must be disclosed clearly and conspicuously when they are offered." - "The law prohibits the company from misrepresenting the odds of receiving any item offered." - Prohibited: "Failing to award and distribute all prizes of the value and type represented." Online complaint form here…
Why haven't they all been shutdown if they are clearly illegal? Also, I've seen these across the country.
Because after decades of capitalists whining about the large and bloated state and trying to cut down from every possible angle, there is probably noone left to do these jobs.
This is the market sorting itself out.
Re: Why nobody ever wins the car at the mall
#90Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Prohibited: "Failing to award and distribute all prizes of the value and type represented." They can't mock-award it to someone of their own?
I'm fairly sure there's federal laws that forbid that. Of course, it's not a crime if you don't get caught. Plus there's a small sub-story in the article about someone that did win a Tesla, but couldn't afford the taxes they had to pay to actually get it. You can win a car but you have to be able to pay taxes and insurance for it, too.
In my experience, it's quite common to have raffles and similar events rigged.
I've heard of lots of companies that have booths at conferences where they scan your badge for a """chance""" to win some prize. Then they look up each person's credentials, and if someone is high up in a company that they wish to establish communications with, they give that person a prize to get their foot in the door.