Moneyville

While checking the mail one day, Maya is surprised to find a letter addressed to her saying that she has won $10,000 in a contest. She doesn't remember entering any contest. Maya is so excited. The letter says that she needs to pay a $20 processing fee in order to get her prize. Her parents tell her they don't want her to send the money. They warn her, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. They ask her how she knows if the contest is real. She figures that spending just $20 is worth the chance of winning $10,000

What do you think Maya should do?

• Where can Maya call or email to find out about the company that sent her the letter?
• Has anyone you have ever known won a prize through the mail? If so, about how much was the prize worth?
• Has anyone you have ever known lost money in a prize scam? About how much did they lose?
• How many people would have to send the 'prize company' $20 in order for them to take in one thousand dollars?