FOI request (FOIR-733181587)

Competition scams

Requested Tue 22 July 2025
Responded Thu 24 July 2025

1. The total number of complaints received in the last two years up to the current date regarding:

a. Competition scams.

b. Fake competitions.

c. Competitions that failed to pay out promised prizes.

2. For each complaint, please provide:

a. The date the complaint was received.

b. A brief description or categorisation of the complaint (for example, 'fake social media competition', 'entry fee taken but no winner announced', and so on).

c. The medium or platform involved (if available), such as social media, websites, text/SMS, email, or others.

d. Whether the complaint resulted in any investigation, action, or referral to another body.

3. If possible, please break down the complaints by year and month.

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Response

Information not held.

This area is dealt with by East Sussex County Council Trading Standards, please visit their website for further information:

https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk