So I won a car... now they are telling me I have to drop everything, leave my current life, and enroll at their university for 4 years to claim it. (you did not have to be a student to enter). Isn't this essentially forcing me to pay money to claim the car, which is illegal in Canada?
This contest was free, and marketed it as "win a free car!".
All the lawyers out there please comment!
2007-03-02 04:31:17 · 4 answers · asked by cruachanmusic 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Watch out for scams like these!!!!
Have you ever seen Matchstick Men, with Nicolas Cage?
Cons are everywhere... I would consult a local lawyer, you might make out with some good old (North) American "pain and anguish" cash!
Hopefully it wont be those stupid coins!!
2007-03-02 04:36:14 · answer #1 · answered by ssmith4007 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The old "Bait & Switch."
I assume it'd be illegal in Canada as it is nearly everywhere else. Sweepstakes (legal ones anyway) are usually closely regulated by the government to keep things like this from happening. You might try contacting a consumer protection agency in Canada and see if they have any ideas about who specifically should be notified. If you just tell the police it's likely nothing will be done as it's not really their area. One of the governmental/federal agencies would probably be interested in the people running the so-called "sweepstake."
2007-03-02 12:38:33 · answer #2 · answered by Digital Haruspex 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's legal *if* the requirement is clearly stated before you enter. Anything called a 'lottery' or 'sweepstakes' or 'raffle' probably requires a purchase; these events are regulated and have to follow certain guidelines. For anything else, no purchase is or can be required. If you still have the original entry documents, check the fine print (often called 'mouse print' because it looks like mice wrote it) and I'll bet you will find the school bit in there. But if phrases like 'free entry' or 'no purchase required' appear then they can't require you to buy anything.
If in doubt, get an attorney; it sounds like a scam to me. If it's a good school you might want to think about it anyway, but good schools don't need to scam to get students. :)
2007-03-02 12:39:19 · answer #3 · answered by dukefenton 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a scam. Report it to the police.
2007-03-02 12:33:32 · answer #4 · answered by notyou311 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋