Does this ever really happen IRL? (Poss scam)

[Stuckinthemiddle1990]

My MIL has just received a phone call from her insurance company telling her that she has won a very expensive, very exotic all expenses paid holiday for two people in their monthly prize draw. She said she does enter random things with them when she gets emails from them, but can't remember if this was one of them as she deletes them once she's done.

The girl on the end of the phone sounded extremely genuine and despite MILs protestations to the girl that it is of course a scam and a wind up the girl was insistent that it wasn't and that she had won. She didn't ask MIL for any personal details and said she would put everything in an email to her (we are still waiting).

She googled the number she was called from and it is the offices head office. I also had a look on their website and prize draws for similar destinations are something they do on the regular.

If it all checks out then quite frankly I am absolutely buzzing for her. She lost her DH last year and hasn't been coping particularly well and I really think this could be the most amazing experience for her......

....but these kind of things never happen IRL do they??!! How do we check this all out??

Has it happened to anyone in MN world and it NOT be dodgy??

Call them using the number on their website to double check - especially as they've sent a visa link.

I have nothing to add but I've got everything crossed this isn't a scam .

It does, but with strings attached. Restrictive dates, flights you have to pay for bookable via them only, presentations you have to attend to "invest" in the resort (ie timeshare)...

Everything crossed that this is real! This has really made my evening if it is.

Is it Saga, a quick google shows it's definitely a thing they do

Hover over both emails and all good.

Email says that that you are responsible for getting your own visa (holiday is India) and they are partnered with the company who will offer a discount if you do it with them.

Even this She googled the number she was called from and it is the offices head office. I also had a look on their website and prize draws for similar destinations are something they do on the regular.

Would make me 99% sure it was genuine.

I won't an all expenses paid trip to the US Grand Prix. It was back in the days before email and I got a call to begin with and then got a letter confirming it. I remember walking up with a start a few days after and thinking 'shit... what if this is a scam!' So yea it does happen and when it does it's normal to disbelieve it!

But you are doing all the right things to check it out.

• check number lady called from
• check the link addresses for the visa company and the email address of the insurance co the confirmation email came from
• confirm with your mum if the email went to the address the insurance company would have had for her (ie where her policy docs get sent to) OR if she had to give it over the phone. If the latter that might be a red flag
• call the insurance company using a number on her policy document (not the email) to check

If you do all the above and it stacks up then I think you can celebrate!

I used to work for BT and took calls from customers reporting scam calls and had to advise them. Be aware that scammers can easily spoof the number that they seem to phone from, in fact that is what most scammers do - that's how they appear to have numbers based in the UK. I would definitely advise to call the company's head office using the number on their official website as they will be able to confirm whether it is genuine. Is it a well known company? Be cautious of any links they send you as websites can be designed to look like a genuine site but not be. Look carefully at the web address and compare it to their genuine web address. Look out for small differences like if their official site is company.co.uk but the link is company.com or companyinsurance.co.uk etc then be cautious. Any concerns at all contact Action Fraud (they have a contact number and a really good website) and ask them for advice.

She needs to call her insurance company and check, but I'm praying it's for real.

@LIZS

Flights included. Virgin.

@HairyMcLarie

She didn't give email. They quoted her insurance policy number in email.

It sounds ok but I'd be super cautious. The insurance company won't mind if you are overly cautious. They will be used to people thinking it's a wind up or scam

@OP I think this all sounds good then! I do agree with a PP that it's worth checking there are no strings attached here and it's not a front for a pressure sell of a timeshare or an expensive carpet!. Check what is paid for and what is not paid for. Check it doesn't mention any excursions or 'presentations' they have to attend.

Of course if it's a reputable insurance company one would hope they wouldn't be partnered with a dodgy timeshare! Always good to check what other expenses you could incur by going on this as they usually don't cover transfers, spending money, meals and drinks etc. they could even exclude flights if they chose to so worth checking. They already told you they don't cover visas. Also any restrictions on dates when she takes this holiday? Any expectations re twin share room or double (that might change who she decides to take!)

Yes I ‘won’ a holiday once. When I looked into it it was only accommodation for a week, no flights, so not worth much at all.

Legit companies sometimes do do prize draws for really good no strings attached holiday. I've just entered a John Lewis/Prada prize draw to win an amazing holiday in Milan. I'm 99.999% not going to win, but someone will, and no there won't be a catch.

I timeshare selling even still a thing, didnt we leave that behind last century?

All Included:
18 meals: 8 breakfasts (days 3-10), 2 lunches (days 6-7) and 8 dinners (days 2-9)

International flights (heathrow -Virgin Atlantic)
Travel in destination by coach
Porterage

City tours of New and Old Delhi, and JaipurVisits to Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur SikriTrain journey from Bharatpur to Sawai Madhopur
3 game drives in Ranthambore National Park

Mental!!

RING THE COMPANY ON THE NUMBER ON THEIR WEBSITE. Check it's genuine. It could be a scam!

Sounds incredible! What a lovely thing to happen, OP, and it's especially nice to see your excitement about somebody else's win! Really hoping for you and of course your MIL that it's genuine. I'm optimistic for you if all the details checked out so far.

And of course - call them to check :)

So it is Saga, they hve that exact trip on their webste

Oh I really want it to be real, that sounds like an amazing holiday for your mum!!

Oh wow! I so hope this is genuine!

I won a weekend away in a hotel with all meals provided a few years back, that was brilliant!

How lovely !
I hope she has a brilliant time

I want this to be real for her too.
I won a trip to Paris about 6 years ago when I bought a car. We basically got a voucher for x amount to spend with the travel agent and they booked it all for us. It was fabulous