Scams

Unfortunately, lottery scams have become widespread as fraudsters around the world have latched on to the genre as a good way to con money out of people. By trying to convince their victims that they have won a prize, they can actually steal from them instead.

The idea of becoming a millionaire for life, for example, is so appealing to lottery players that it can also be used by scammers for their own advantage. Find out more below about lottery scams and how to avoid them.

The Golden Rule

It is not possible to win a lottery prize, or scratch-off prize, if you have not played the game. If someone contacts you to say you have become a millionaire for life, or that you’ve won any prize - when you have not taken part - it is a scam.

How To Know You’re A Winner

The only way to become a lottery winner is to buy a ticket and match the numbers that are drawn. If there’s a scratch-off ticket offering an annuity prize such as $1 million a year for life, you have to uncover the relevant winning symbols. If you’ve played a game and you think you might be a winner, there are various ways to find out for certain.

  • Check the numbers - Take a look at the latest results online or use a number checker. Make sure the numbers on your ticket match up to the numbers that have been drawn.
  • Take your ticket to a retailer - Get your ticket scanned in-store. The retailer will be able to let you know if you have won. They may be able to pay you out any prizes instantly, or guide you in the direction of the lottery operator and how to contact them.

If you’ve played a lottery online, the simplest way is to check your emails or log in to your player account.

Spotting a Scam

While some scams are very easy to see through, others may be far more sophisticated and convincing. If you’ve received an email, letter, social media message or phone call about a lottery win, go through this checklist to help you ascertain whether it is from a scammer.

  • If you did not enter the draw or competition that is referred to in the message, it is a scam.
  • A message that has consistently poor spelling and grammar is almost certainly fraudulent.
  • If you are being asked to reply or claim quickly, this is a sign of a scam. It is a common tactic to pressure you into responding before you might have a chance to think it through.
  • Any message that tells you to keep a win to yourself should be disregarded as a scam. It is your decision who you tell if you win a lottery prize.
  • Does the message ask for personal or financial information, or ask you to pay a fee? This is an instant red flag.
  • Another warning sign is a message or text that does not address you by name - this shows that it is mass-produced.
  • If it is an email, it may contain a suspicious link. This is known as phishing, with malicious sites designed to gather your information.

What to do if you Receive a Scam

Whether you are contacted by mail, email, social media or telephone, these are the steps you should take if you receive a scam message:

  • Do not provide any financial or personal information.
  • Do not pay any fees that you are being asked to transfer.
  • Do not respond to suspicious messages, follow links to unfamiliar websites or open suspicious emails.

Contact your bank if you have already sent financial information to someone you suspect might be a scammer. You may also consider calling the police or a fraud agency (Attorney General in the U.S.) for more information and advice.

The key is to remain vigilant and remember that you can only win a lottery prize if you have taken part in the game.