Not all states face the same level of sweepstakes fraud. Some states consistently report higher rates of prize and lottery scams — both in raw numbers and per capita. If you enter sweepstakes regularly, knowing where scam activity concentrates can help you understand the landscape and stay alert.
We analyzed 2025 data from the FTC's Consumer Sentinel Network — the federal government's primary database of consumer fraud complaints — to identify which states face the highest risk. The full analysis is published in our Sweepstakes Scam Risk Index, an interactive report ranking all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The States With the Most Sweepstakes Scams
In raw complaint volume, the states with the most "Prizes, Sweepstakes, and Lotteries" fraud reports in 2025 are predictably the most populated:
- California — 5,802 complaints ($34.5M in reported losses)
- Texas — 4,687 complaints ($20.6M in reported losses)
- Florida — 4,576 complaints ($23.7M in reported losses)
- New York — 2,371 complaints ($11.7M in reported losses)
- Ohio — 2,332 complaints ($6.2M in reported losses)
But raw numbers don't tell the full story. California has nearly 39 million residents — a high complaint count there means something different than the same number in a state with 1 million people. To compare states fairly, you need to look at complaints per capita.
The States With the Highest Per-Capita Scam Rates
When you adjust for population, a different picture emerges. Smaller states with concentrated fraud activity rise to the top.
Our Sweepstakes Scam Risk Index calculates a composite risk score for each state based on per-capita complaint rates and average dollar losses per complaint. The states with the highest risk scores tend to share certain characteristics: older populations, higher rates of phone-based scam targeting, and in some cases, proximity to cross-border fraud operations.
The interactive map in the full report color-codes every state by risk tier — High, Elevated, Moderate, or Low — so you can see at a glance how your state compares.
Why Some States Are Hit Harder
Several factors explain why sweepstakes fraud clusters in certain states:
Demographics
States with higher proportions of residents over 60 tend to see more prize scam complaints. Seniors are disproportionately targeted by phone-based sweepstakes scams — the "you've won a prize, just pay the fee" calls that remain one of the most common fraud tactics in the country.
Phone scam infrastructure
Some states are more heavily targeted by robocall operations. States in the Southeast and parts of the Midwest consistently report higher volumes of unsolicited prize notification calls. The FTC's Do Not Call complaint data correlates closely with sweepstakes fraud complaint rates.
Reporting rates
States with active attorney general consumer protection programs tend to have higher complaint counts — not necessarily because fraud is worse, but because residents are more aware of how to report it. This is worth noting: low complaint counts in some states may reflect underreporting rather than low fraud.
Dollar losses vary independently
The states with the most complaints don't always have the highest dollar losses. A state might rank lower in complaint volume but higher in average loss per victim, which suggests more sophisticated scam operations targeting fewer people for larger amounts. The Scam Risk Index weights both factors into its composite score.
How to Check Your State
The full Sweepstakes Scam Risk Index includes:
- An interactive U.S. map color-coded by risk tier
- A sortable table of all 50 states + DC with rank, risk score, complaints per 100K, total complaints, and dollar losses
- Methodology explaining how risk scores are calculated
- Tips for protecting yourself based on common scam patterns
You can click any state on the map to jump directly to its data in the table.
What Sweepstakes Fraud Looks Like in Practice
Most sweepstakes scams follow a predictable script. Understanding the pattern makes them easier to recognize regardless of which state you're in:
- The notification — You receive a call, email, text, or social media message claiming you've won a prize. You don't remember entering anything.
- The hook — The prize sounds exciting: cash, a car, a vacation. It's always just big enough to be believable.
- The ask — To "claim" your prize, you need to pay a fee, provide bank details, or buy gift cards. Sometimes they ask for your Social Security number for "tax purposes."
- The escalation — If you pay the initial fee, they come back with more fees. Processing fees, insurance fees, customs fees. Each one is "the last one."
For a detailed breakdown of every red flag, read our guide on sweepstakes scam warning signs. If the scam originated on social media, our post on spotting fake sweepstakes on social media covers platform-specific tactics.
How to Protect Yourself
No matter which state you live in, the fundamentals of sweepstakes safety are the same:
- Only enter sweepstakes you found yourself. Don't respond to unsolicited notifications. If you didn't enter, you didn't win.
- Never pay to claim a prize. Legitimate sweepstakes are always free to enter and free to claim.
- Verify the sponsor. Check that the company running the sweepstakes is real, has a website, and has published official rules. Learn how to read official rules so you know what to look for.
- Use verified sources. Enter sweepstakes through platforms that screen listings before publishing them. Every listing on Sweepstakes Radar is manually reviewed against a five-point verification checklist before it goes live.
Report Fraud When You See It
If you encounter a suspicious sweepstakes — or if you've already lost money to one — reporting it matters. FTC complaint data is what makes analyses like the Scam Risk Index possible, and it helps law enforcement identify and shut down fraud operations.
You can file a complaint at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or contact your state attorney general's consumer protection division.
Find Legitimate Sweepstakes
The best defense against sweepstakes fraud is entering real promotions from verified sources. Browse verified sweepstakes and giveaways — every listing is checked for legitimacy, official rules, sponsor identity, and free entry before it's published.
You can also explore sweepstakes by state to find promotions available in your area, or check out our guide to winning sweepstakes for strategies that work.