Heads up, compers! In order to investigate a technical issue, we've had to move some of the older threads from Game Over into a new category called 'Game Over Archives'. It'll be comps from before 2017, so shouldn't have too much impact on your day-to-day Forum experience. Thanks for your patience!

Keeping your anonymity

Hello,
I occasionally enter competitions but always like to hide my identity for fear of unwanted publicity. Would using a pseudonym cause me a problem should I win big, for example, proving who I actually am as opposed to the name I used for the competition?
All advice from experienced compers welcome.  Thank you.  

Replies

  • hawest543hawest543 Forumite
    47 Posts
    Second Anniversary 10 Posts
    Forumite
    I've had a couple of prizes where I had to supply ID to prove I was who I said I was. I think they do it to stop people entering multiple times with different names
  • sarahrcjsarahrcj Forumite
    9 Posts
    Fourth Anniversary Name Dropper First Post
    Forumite
    I think a lot of comps are 'non transferable' so if you want a cheque or a holiday or something you might struggle with using a different name
  • One-EyeOne-Eye Forumite
    62.4K Posts
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Forumite
    Don't use a pseudonym - you will have horrendous problems claiming prizes.

    It might be possible to use your middle name instead of your first name, eg. John Paul Stapler should be OK entering as Paul Stapler - but this is as far as I would advise you go.
  • mjm3346mjm3346 Forumite
    46K Posts
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Forumite
    Fromm one of the mag dailies

    Claims are only valid if the winner's name and address are on the electoral roll. It is the winner's responsibility to ensure their contact details on the site are correct and up-to-date.
  • tghe-retfordtghe-retford Forumite
    933 Posts
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Forumite
    Yes it will be a problem eventually.

    I've had to show photo ID in person before to claim a prize.
  • NBLondonNBLondon Forumite
    5.2K Posts
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Forumite
    One-Eye said:
    Don't use a pseudonym - you will have horrendous problems claiming prizes.

    It might be possible to use your middle name instead of your first name, eg. John Paul Stapler should be OK entering as Paul Stapler - but this is as far as I would advise you go.
    I think it depends how big the prize is...  If it's something that can be posted then no problem.  If it's a bigger item to be handed over or banked then like sarahrcj said - you might struggle to explain why you want it in a different name.

    I've been asked to show ID to prove I was over 18 once when the prize was alcohol.
    Wash your Knobs and Knockers... Keep the Postie safe!
  • Stapler79Stapler79 Forumite
    2 Posts
    First Post
    Newbie
    Thanks for all your replies.  I think I'll forget about anonymity for now...
  • mjm3346mjm3346 Forumite
    46K Posts
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Forumite
    "like to hide my identity for fear of unwanted publicity."

    GDPR protects you even if you give permission for publicity at the time of entry you can withdraw it anytime.
    Unless you agree otherwise the only time promoters should use your details without consent are to provide winner details to the ASA if they ask to prove a winner was selected appropriately.
    Nearly all free to enter competitions have prizes worth under £1k, most well under that and there is almost nothing worth say £500k upwards where publicity might be of interest to anyone else
Sign In or Register to comment.
Latest MSE News and Guides

British Gas prepay meter users...

...to pay less for gas from 1 April

MSE News

The 'odd Easter flavours' thread 2023

What bizarre food stuffs have you spied?

MSE Forum

Energy Price Guarantee calculator

How much you'll likely pay from April

MSE Tools