A $25,000 contest from Reese's may be in violation of U.S. sweepstakes law.
The contest, which ends in January 2024, offers players the chance to win $25,000 in athletic scholarships, and says there is no athletic ability required to participate. The Hershey Company, owner of Reese's, says "it’s not really a scholarship. It's just straight-up cash."
A consumer advocate who is a former assistant attorney general from Massachusetts flagged the possible issue. Edgar Dworsky is the person behind the websiteConsumer World.
Dworsky noticed that consumers would not be made aware that there is no purchase necessary until they buy the peanut butter cups and open the package to read the small print inside of the wrapper.
According to U.S. sweepstakes laws, there is a requirement that companies make the consumer aware that there is no purchase necessary to participate.
Agencies including the Federal Communications Commission, the U.S. Postal Service and the Federal Trade Commission take part in enforcing sweepstakes laws in the United States, and the FTC specifically has laws that focus on what is known as deceptive or unfair acts.
Dworsky said, “You never have to pay to play. All these packages should be recalled," the AP reported.
On the Hershey Land website,it says"No purchase necessary," and says "Other limitations and restrictions apply."
Dworsky has been reporting on consumer issues and "shrinkflation," which he calls sneaky price increases in which products and packaging are manipulated in a way to cause consumers to receive less for the money they pay to purchase products.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index found that grocery prices have spiked by 20%in the last two years. That coupled with shrinkflation has put a real strain on consumer bank accounts.
Editor's Note: This story has been updated with the removal of a line that stated Dworsky acknowledged that a Reese's candy display he saw did say that there was "no purchase necessary." Dworsky said that was not the case, adding that a spot-check of displays in Massachusetts, Virginia, Washington state, and California did not have signs about "no purchase necessary."
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FAQs
The contest is being promoted on packs of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, and while Hershey claims that no purchase is necessary, evidence points to the contrary.
What is the Reese's 25,000 prize? ›
The contest, which ends in January 2024, offers players the chance to win $25,000 in athletic scholarships, and says there is no athletic ability required to participate. The Hershey Company, owner of Reese's, says "it's not really a scholarship. It's just straight-up cash."
What is the Reese's controversy? ›
A Florida woman, Cynthia Kelly, made a $2 purchase that resulted in a $5 million suit. Kelly claims that Reese's misrepresented its products when the presentation of the candy on the packaging did not match the actual candy inside the wrapper.
How do you enter Reese's sweepstakes? ›
After presenting the myRewards Plus App or swiping his/her myRewards Card and completing any 1 Reese's purchase in a single transaction, the entrant will receive one (1) entry into the Sweepstakes. Each completed Reese's item purchase transaction during the Entry Period will count as one (1) entry into the Sweepstakes.
What are the chances of me winning a sweepstakes? ›
You'll also improve your odds if you enter sweepstakes that have multiple prizes. For example, let's say there is one prize with 100 entries: that's 1/100 = 1% probability you'll win. But if there are ten prizes, the probability is 10/100 = 10% chance you'll win from that same single entry form.
Is there a secret to winning sweepstakes? ›
The only way you can win a sweepstake is to enter it. If you really want to have a chance at getting a prize, try to spend at least 30 minutes a day, 3 days a week on sweepstakes. However, if you want to be a really devoted sweeper, you'll have the best shot if you spend about 3-5 hours a week on your entries.
How much did Reese sell to Hershey for? ›
Reese worked on a dairy farm owned by Milton Hershey, the Hershey chocolate king, and in 1928 Harry began toying with the idea of mixing peanut butter and chocolate in cups. He founded the H. B. Reese Candy Co., and eventually sold out to Hershey for $23.5 million.
What is the new Reese's Peanut Butter Cup 2024? ›
Olympics fans can snack on a new peanut butter-chocolate candy, Reese's Medals, in the run-up to the 2024 Paris Olympics in July and August. The medal-shaped Reese's come in special packaging with the symbols of the Olympics and Team USA that will make you feel like a champion.
Is there real peanut butter in Reese's? ›
INGREDIENTS: WHOLE GRAIN CORN, SUGAR, REESE'S PEANUT BUTTER (PEANUTS, SUGAR, MONOGLYCERIDES, PEANUT OIL, SALT, MOLASSES, CORNSTARCH), DEXTROSE, CORN MEAL, CORN SYRUP, CANOLA OIL, SALT, COCOA, CARAMEL COLOR, TRISODIUM PHOSPHATE, NATURAL & ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR. CONTAINS: WHEAT, PEANUTS.
What did Reese's used to be called? ›
The H.B. Reese Candy Company was established in 1923 by H. B. Reese in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The official product name was "Penny Cups" because they could be purchased for one cent. Reese had originally worked at a Hershey dairy farm, and from the start, he used Hershey chocolate in his confections.
A lawsuit accuses Hershey's of using 'deceptive' packaging on Reese's products. Four customers in Florida have filed a federal lawsuit against The Hershey Company alleging that designs displayed on some Reese's Peanut Butter cups were misleading to customers.
Was Reese's Law passed? ›
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Reese's Law, bipartisan legislation co-led by Reps. Robin Kelly (D-IL), Jodey Arrington (R-TX) and Ted Lieu (D-CA) to protect children from ingesting button cell batteries passed the Senate. The legislation will now go to President Biden's desk for signature.
Do you have to pay to win sweepstakes? ›
Don't pay to enter a sweepstakes or to collect a prize. Legitimate sweepstakes are free and by chance. It is illegal to require you to buy something or pay to enter or increase your odds of winning. If you receive a notice stating that you've won a prize, be mindful of the email address.
How are sweepstakes winners notified? ›
The winner will be notified via email or postal mail by the contact information provided on their account.
Do sweepstakes still exist? ›
Today, sweepstakes in the United States are used as marketing promotions to reward existing consumers and to draw attention to a product. By definition, the winner is determined by pure random chance rather than skill.
Does anyone ever win online sweepstakes? ›
I know it might seem like a scam but they really do award prizes. It's just that the odds are similar to winning the lottery. Do people ever win online vacation giveaways? Yes I have won a fully paid trip..
How do you win a Reese's Visa card? ›
According to the official rules, you can participate in the promotion by purchasing a Reese's or Reese's Lovers Peanut Butter Cup that are marked with the “Reece's Loves You Back” packaging. The package contains a code that you can enter here for a chance to win.
