How to verify a competition before you enter
A practical source-checking process for websites, social posts and unfamiliar promoters.
A few quick checks can help distinguish a genuine promotion from a copied, outdated or suspicious page. No single badge or visual design proves legitimacy, so verification works best as a sequence.
Identify the promoter
Find the company or organisation responsible for the promotion. The terms should normally name it. If the competition appears on social media, compare the account with links from the organisation's official website.
Find the terms
A genuine promotion should make its rules available. Check eligibility, entry method, closing date, prize and winner process. Be cautious when important details are missing or contradictory.
Inspect the URL
Look for misspellings, unusual domains or a link that does not match the claimed organisation. Do not rely on a logo alone because images can be copied easily.
Consider what information is requested
A competition can reasonably ask for contact details needed to administer an entry or prize. Requests for passwords, PINs, one-time codes or unrelated financial credentials are a serious warning sign.
Verify winner messages separately
Even a real competition can be impersonated after it closes. Return to the original promoter through an independent route before responding to an unexpected claim message.
Fearless verification notes record checks against identified sources where available, but promotions can change. The live official source remains the final reference.