Winners FAQ

All about winning with Visa

For additional information, learn more about Visa promotions.

How will I be contacted if I win a Visa sweepstakes or contest?

You will be contacted by traceable method of delivery (typically Federal Express) and/or by telephone.

I received a letter stating that I am a “potential” winner. What does that mean?

For a sweepstakes: It means that your Visa payment transaction or alternate entry was randomly selected as a potential winner of a sweepstakes. However, we need to ensure that you meet all of the eligibility requirements before you can be declared an “Official” winner. This is a necessary step in the verification process before we can establish you as a confirmed winner.

For a contest: It means that your entry submission was judged to be one of the potential winners in a Visa contest. However, we need to ensure that you meet all of the eligibility requirements before you can be declared an “Official” winner. This is a necessary step in the verification process before we can establish you as a confirmed winner.

How do I know that this sweepstakes or contest is legitimate?

Please visit Win with Visa and Winners for details on current and past promotions from Visa U.S.A. If you don’t see the promotion listed in your notification information, please Ask Visa.

Who would contact me regarding a Visa sweepstakes or contest?

Visa contracts with individual administration agencies (third-party organizations) that administer sweepstakes and contests on behalf of Visa. These agencies are responsible for contacting potential and confirmed sweepstakes and contest winners. Visa and its agencies maintain a secure environment for consumer information throughout the administration of sweepstakes or contest awards.

Who is Marden-Kane and Strobe? Why are they contacting me?

Marden-Kane and Strobe are the current administration agencies that administer sweepstakes or contests on behalf of Visa.

How do I find out what I have won?

The documentation that you are sent contains the description of your prize. Typically, the administration agency receives the required paperwork from you and verifies its contents. The administrator will then send you an official congratulatory letter advising that we have received and verified your paperwork and can now declare you an official winner.

How will I receive my prize?

Details on your actual award or prize will be sent to you by a Visa sweepstakes or contest administrator agency (see above).

How do I know if I am eligible?

Each sweepstakes or contest is different. It is important to review the Official Rules of the promotion. Please check the eligibility section of the Official Rules for any Visa sweepstakes or contest. If you are selected as a potential winner, a copy of the Official Rules will be sent to you.

Do I have to pay taxes on the prize?

Prizes valued at $600 or more require the filing of a 1099 Miscellaneous Income Tax form. For tax purposes you are required to complete a W-9 (included in your winner-notification package). Please read all of your notification materials carefully, as there may be other taxes that you could be responsible for. Please be advised that winners are responsible for the payment of taxes on the prizes won. Winners should contact a tax advisor if they have any questions concerning their obligations.

Why do you need my Social Security number?

This information is required by the IRS in connection with tax filings. Your social security information and any other personal information will be kept secure at all times.

What information will be contained in my winner-notification package?

You will typically receive a notification letter that states that you are a potential winner; an Affidavit of Eligibility; a Liability and Publicity Release; a W-9 (if your prize is valued at $600 or more); a copy of the Official Rules; and a prepaid Federal Express envelope to send back your completed paperwork. In some instances, where there is a trip involved, one or more guest releases will also be included.

To receive my prize, do I have to complete and return the paperwork?

Yes. Depending on the prize, you will be required to sign and return the Affidavit of Eligibility, a Liability and Publicity Release (if applicable), a W-9 (if your prize is valued at $600 or more), and guest releases (if applicable). The cover letter of your winner-notification package will provide a date that your paperwork is due in order to receive your prize. If you miss this date, the prize will be forfeited and may be awarded to an alternate winner.

Do I need a notary for the paperwork?

Visa and the sweepstakes or contest administrator often require that a notary sign and date your paperwork before you send it in. The purpose for the notary is to verify your personal data and signature, and to bear witness to your signature.

How do I return my information?

Notifications sent to potential winners will include a prepaid Federal Express envelope that you can use to return your completed information.