Can you trust that sweepstakes offer on your receipt?

Garrett has noticed that a number of receipts he receives from stores include a sweepstakes offer. He could win a prize or some cash by filling out a survey or jumping through some other corporate hoop.

He wants to know: Are these things legit?

Pretty much, as long as they’re from a well-known retailer. A number of top merchants, including Walgreen and Wal-Mart, have used receipt sweepstakes as a way to reach out and touch customers.

The retailers say they do award prizes to people, although your chances of winning may run about one in a million.

But always be wary of online sweepstakes or notices that you’ve just won an international lottery. In many cases these are just scams and will involve you sending in money before you receive any money. And you won’t receive any money.

For more, check out today’s Ask Laz video.

If you have a consumer question, email me at asklaz@latimes.com or contact me via Twitter @Davidlaz.