Local Officials Warn Residents About “You’ve Won” Scams
Cayuga Lake National Bank, the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office, and the Cayuga County Office for the Aging are working together to alert community members about a rising scam known as the "You’ve Won!" fraud. Officials urge residents to remain vigilant and to share this information with family, particularly elderly or isolated individuals who may be more vulnerable to such schemes.
These scams typically begin with a call, email, letter, or text message informing the recipient that they have won a prize—such as a vacation, lottery, or sweepstakes. The scammers often sound enthusiastic and eager to help the victim claim their winnings. However, the process quickly turns suspicious as the fraudsters demand payment of fees, taxes, or customs duties before the prize can be released. Victims are often asked to provide sensitive financial details or send money via cash, gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or payment apps—methods that are difficult to trace and recover.
Authorities emphasize that legitimate prizes do not require payment upfront. If someone asks for money or personal financial information before releasing a prize, it is likely a scam.
To protect against these scams, officials recommend:
Never sharing financial or personal information with unknown callers or email contacts.
Refusing to send money via untraceable methods like cash, gift cards, or wire transfers.
Educating loved ones about these scams, especially those who may be more susceptible.
Reporting suspicious activity to local law enforcement if you or someone you know has been targeted.
Anyone who believes they may have fallen victim to a scam is encouraged to report it to the authorities. For additional information on fraud prevention, visit the Cayuga Lake National Bank’s website at https://www.cayugalakenationalbank.com/dont-fall-for-fraud.