i've sort of won a holiday - is it genuine?

[crisgal]

i entered a comp online recently to win a carribean cruise with TLC best western. A lady has just rang who says i haven;t won the holiday but have won four free flights and a stay at a 5 star hotel in costa del somewhere.
All I have to do is ring a number and claim my prize.
I know what you're thinking and so was I - but it's an 0800 number not one of those wierd ones. What would you do?

[dzug]

Well you actually entered a competition which is a good start. It's the ones you didn't enter or the survey you can't remember doing that you need to worry about.

Given that it's a freephone number you've nothing to lose by ringing to find out more. Once you know the details, it will be easier to decide whether it's genuine or not.

[Ethel]

Why couldn't she give you the prize when she rang?

As it's an 0800 number - call. Do not give out personal information at this stage though - especially not credit card details.

I would be interested to see what happened if you said you were all living on benefits. Do you still get the prize?

[crisgal]

i didn't ring in the end - i thought that if i had really won, then they would contact me via post. Why do we have to claim these prizes? If you win a prize they should just give it you shouldn't they?

[wildwood]

To claim your 'prize' you would probably be required to use all four flights and pay for the other 3x 5 star hotel stays, note they are always expensive ones. There may also be a question of paying for the 4 return flights.

I think you did right not following up on this type of prizes.

[Dee Sa]

dont even go there ! if they ring back back just say thanks but no thanks. Its all a con.