NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- State consumer affairs officials have reminded Tennesseans that you can't win a foreign contest you didn't enter.

Gary Cordell of the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs says scams circulate daily with the goal of getting money or personal information.

Legitimate sweepstakes don't require a purchase, he says. Nor should someone be required to pay taxes or shipping and handling charges to get a prize.

Additionally, it's highly unlikely that someone has won a big prize if the notification was mailed by bulk rate.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)