Free cruise scams: how to tell a real giveaway
A free Margaritaville at Sea cruise for you and a guest, in one cabin. Taxes, port fees and gratuities included. Up to $350 value. No purchase necessary.This giveaway is not sponsored or endorsed by Margaritaville at Sea or any cruise line. See the Official Rules.A short checklist. Use it on any offer, including mine.
A real giveaway…
- Names the sponsor, with a mailing address.
- Has Official Rules you can read before you enter.
- Says “no purchase necessary,” and means it.
- Says how and when the winner is picked.
- States the prize exactly, including what the winner still pays.
- Has a phone number a real person answers.
Walk away if…
- You “won” something you never entered.
- You must pay a fee, give a card number or buy something to claim.
- It asks for your bank details, Social Security number or passwords.
- There’s a countdown pushing you to decide now.
- The “free cruise” turns into a timeshare talk or a high-priced package.
- You can’t find who’s behind it.
Check mine against the list
The sponsor and the rules are in the Official Rules. A free Margaritaville at Sea cruise for you and a guest, in one cabin. Taxes, port fees and gratuities included. Up to $350 value. No purchase necessary. This giveaway is not sponsored or endorsed by Margaritaville at Sea or any cruise line. See the Official Rules. I will never ask you for payment, a card number, bank details, your Social Security number or a fee to enter or to claim. Call me first if you like: (239) 357-0814.
Think you’ve seen a scam? You can report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.