What name do you use for competitions?

LadyMorticia

Hello!

I was just wondering what name people use for competitions. Do you use your full name or another version/abbreviation of your birth name?

I absolutely detest my given name but I've been using it to enter online competitions and everytime my form filler fills it in, I wince at it!

Does anyone hear enter with a nickname instead of their given name?

Crystal_Green

Well you only have to have one prize arrive addressed to whatever weird name you have been using for comps, and have a postman superciliously ask 'Is that you?' to decide your real name is best.

LadyMorticia

Crystal_Green wrote: »

Well you only have to have one prize arrive addressed to whatever weird name you have been using for comps, and have a postman superciliously ask 'Is that you?' to deicide your real name is best.

Haha. My nickname is a variant of my birth name so not sure I'll get such weird looks.

ikkle87

I use my full name for comps then i can spot post and emails etc but use my shortened name for everything else.

DynasticDux

Best to use your full "legal" name - some prizes turn up unannounced - including cheques
If the name on the cheque is not your "legal" name that is also on your bank account - then the cheque is useless as you will not be able to bank it.

Also if you win a holiday - the flight tickets will be booked in the winners name given at time of entry, most holidays are not transferable & the winner must be one of the people traveling.... so giving a wrong name = no holiday

MillyVanilli

I use my full, 'proper' name for most comps (in case of cheques/needing to collect post etc), but I have a shortened form of my name I use for everything else. I use that when entering Facebook comps, so I can be tagged if I win.

skintpaul

I use normal name + 'no junkmail' for most one off entry sites, but any firm needing a log-in will be different.

Adding a (ref - promoter name) to part of your address, MIGHT help track down any spammers!

Eg-
Mr Paul Skint
123 Any Road
(ref promoter name)
Brighton

BlueBella

I use my own name. I know someone in my street called Myra Hindley - she isn't a comper and she hates her name!

happysaz133

My problem is I'm known by my middle name, but obviously for a lot of comps you need photo ID if you win so I always use my full name. Problems only crop up on Facebook because my friends all know me as my middle name so I use that on there.

It confuses me at times, but generally, full names for all comps but Facebook ones (but even then, I'll put my first name as my middle name, just so its in there for if any comps do require ID).

mjm3346

I saw some T&Cs yesterday that said people must use their "legal name" when entering.
Don't know how often they actually check/enforce this but there are also some sites (goodtoknow is among them) that require you to be on the electoral roll.

Claims are only valid if the winner's name and address are on the electoral roll

LadyMorticia

Thanks everyone.

I use my full name for any competitions for money etc, but it was more for FB app competitions. My name on FB is my nickname, but I'm unsure whether to enter my birth details into the app or my FB details?