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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Does this ever really happen IRL? (Poss scam)

107 replies

Stuckinthemiddle1990 · 29/09/2022 17:40

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??

OP posts:
eyeteevee · 29/09/2022 22:13

Sounds legit, fingers crossed for your mum!!

HipposHaveNipples · 29/09/2022 22:21

I've won over 100 competitions so it does happen. I'm still waiting for a big win like a holiday or big cash prize though!!

I really hope it is genuine, how fantastic.

Athenajm80 · 29/09/2022 22:32

I've been lucky enough to win three amazing holidays. Two were phone calls, followed up by emails.

The first one was from a phone company and the lady started by saying I'd bought a phone from them, she hoped it all went ok. Before she got any further, I pointed out a few things that went wrong. She kind of awkwardly apologised and then said I'd entered the competition on their site to win a surround sound system but they hadn't updated the prize and it was actually a holiday to Jamaica, was that ok? 😁 She followed with an email, it was all legit, no timeshare. In fact, they even let my sister and me take my nephew (7yrs old) as well for free.

Congratulations to your mum, it sounds like she needs a lovely break. I hope she has an amazing time, it certainly looks fantastic!

JadeSeahorse · 29/09/2022 23:12

Before you confirm any dates please check the current visa situation for India with the visa company recommended.

I am retired senior travel industry and still involved in the industry forums. Acquiring visas for India at present is a nightmare! They no longer allow e-visas!
Someone posted today on the forum that there are no appointments left this year although professional visa companies sometimes can get around this so please check.

AintNobodyHereButUsChickens · 30/09/2022 07:36

If this is all legit then this is nicest thing I've read in ages ❤️

Stuckinthemiddle1990 · 30/09/2022 12:40

All confirmed. All legitimate.

Absolutely bloody brilliant 😁

She's chosen a depature date 3 days before her birthday so she will get to be at the Taj Mahal for it. What an incredible memory to make!!

OP posts:
octoberfarm · 30/09/2022 12:45

Oh, this is so lovely! What an amazing thing to happen. I hope they have a really wonderful trip!

JacquelineCarlyle · 30/09/2022 12:54

That is fantastic - so pleased for her. Hope she has an amazing time!

DidYouFindYourCrumpetHoles · 30/09/2022 13:01

Over the moon for your mum! How fantastic for her. Sounds like her and her friend truly deserve it too Smile

Pixiedust1234 · 30/09/2022 13:10

I'm glad it all ended legit but use this as a lesson. Get your mother to have a competition folder in her emails so instead of deleting them she moves them to their own folder. Easily done and saves this kind of stress!

ZorbaTheHoarder · 30/09/2022 13:13

Wow! Very pleased for your MIL! Hope she has a fantastic time.

As pp have said, in these very troubled times, news like this is very welcome!

lemmein · 30/09/2022 14:13

Aww OP, only just read this and quickly scooted to the bottom hoping it was good news. How amazing? Brilliant news - I hope she has a fantastic time Smile

SerenaTee · 30/09/2022 14:15

Amazing news, so glad it all checked out and good you were cautious. Hope she has a fabulous time!

searchingformiracle · 30/09/2022 14:21

Wonderful news ! So pleased for her ❤️

daisy46 · 30/09/2022 14:37

So happy for your mum. Such good news!

FelicityFidget · 30/09/2022 14:41

My mum won an all expenses paid holiday for the family to California when I was a kid. Posh hotels and cars to loaf about in. It was brilliant.

It does happen and I'm so chuffed for your mum. What a lovely thing to happen. I love india too. Such an amazing place I've been to most of the places you listed and she will have a wonderful time.

Ratioo · 30/09/2022 14:42

That's so bloody lovely. Love seeing happy stories.

sonsmum · 30/09/2022 15:06

Really please for your MiL.
So long as they are not asking for payment or any bank details or directing her to links, it sounds legit.
Would recommend they use hand sanitizer at all times, especially after handling bank notes and preferably eat cooked food only. Stay away from the salads (washed in local water) and stay away form drinks with ice cubes. This will give them the best chance of avoiding belly issues and- enjoying their trip!!
Sounds extreme, but after been being caught out by an ice cube in India, it's best to err on the side of caution.

Teadrinkingmumofone · 30/09/2022 15:09

Stuckinthemiddle1990 · 30/09/2022 12:40

All confirmed. All legitimate.

Absolutely bloody brilliant 😁

She's chosen a depature date 3 days before her birthday so she will get to be at the Taj Mahal for it. What an incredible memory to make!!

Wow, amazing! So nice to hear a happy story!

HelloTreacle9 · 30/09/2022 15:35

This has made me so happy. I hope your MIL and her friend have the most amazing time, I would love that trip!

LazyDaisy22 · 30/09/2022 15:41

So very pleased for your MIL and her friend. Made me slightly teary to read all of your posts. Wishing them both an amazing trip.

Fml1980 · 30/09/2022 15:52

This has really made me smile, what lovely news for your mil and her friend.
I'm sure they will both have an amazing time.
You must come back and tell us how they got on.

Lalliella · 30/09/2022 16:11

YABU to be so happy for your MIL OP, don’t you know this is Mumsnet and you’re supposed to hate her? 😂 What a lovely story, I might have a small tear in my eye!

Lalliella · 30/09/2022 16:13

Ooh yes and tell her not to eat salads, fresh fruit, reheated rice or omelettes (the latter nearly did for me) and to clean her teeth in bottled water not tap water. And tell her to have a fab time!

ChimChimeny · 30/09/2022 16:29

Best to avoid meat too

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