Awarding a prize to an excited winner is the funnest aspect of running a text sweepstakes. But before you hand over that gift card, trip or product, you should get an affidavit signed. It protects you, the sponsor, and ensures the winner won fairly.
Read on to see why your text sweepstakes winners should sign an affidavit.
What is a Text Sweepstakes Affidavit?
An affidavit is a written sworn statement that, in some jurisdictions, must also be notarized. By signing it, a winner typically confirms the following:
- The winner has complied with the official rules.
- The information the winner supplied when entering the text sweep is accurate.
- The winner has not been deceptive or participated in any fraud when entering or claiming the prize.
- The winner has not been employed or sponsored by any of the companies involved in creating or managing the text to win sweepstakes promotion.
With an affidavit, your sweepstakes winner basically confirms that they are indeed eligible to win through an agreement that is legally binding.
Also Read: Tips for Success on your first text to win
Gives Your Business Recourse
It also protects you, the sponsor, because an affidavit can be used as evidence in court if a lawsuit is brought against your company. If people who enter and win are not eligible, knowingly or not, the process of getting an affidavit will help you discover this and can give you legal recourse.
You need to be proactive by having every winner sign an affidavit in case a problem arises.
Shows That Your Business Will Enforce the Rules
If your business is giving away a particularly enticing prize for your text to win campaign, the value of the prize may be so great to your entrants that they are willing to throw caution to the wind with the hope that your company doesn’t catch them flouting the rules.
By letting every entrant know that he or she will be required to sign an affidavit before the prize can be claimed, you’re letting them know you will enforce the rules. Not only will they not receive the prize if they’re ineligible, they may also risk being sued, which is something that most people want to avoid at all costs.
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