Lottery Scams

All over the world, lottery players are targeted by con artists who try to trick them into handing over their personal or financial information. This information is used by fraudsters to steal money from their victims' bank accounts, or their identities. Therefore, if you are a lottery enthusiast, it's important to identify these scams and fraud schemes.

Examples to watch out for:

- Receiving a fake check; they ask for your bank account details and claim the money will be deposited into your account.
- Getting a notice advising that you have won a prize, but you need to pay a fee in order for them to process your winnings.
- Someone you don't know asks for your help in redeeming a lottery ticket for them.
- Getting an email, letter, or message from someone claiming that you won a Florida Lottery prize and trying to convince you to send them money.
- Using logos or email addresses similar to those of the Florida Lottery in order to seem legitimate.

Legitimate lotteries will never ask you for money in order to be able to claim your prize. They will also not ask you for your personal or financial information, and they won't ask to meet you at your home address or in a public place to pay your prize.

What to do when in doubt

- Hang up, don't reply to the email, message, or letter.
- Do not open any suspicious links or attachments.
- Get in touch with your nearest Florida Lottery office or the Division of Security.
- Contact the local law enforcement to report the incident.
- Ignore friend requests, messages, or tags on social media advising you that you are a winner.
- Remember you can never win a prize for a game you didn't enter.
- Keep in mind that if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is!

If you suspect you are a victim of a scam, please contact the Florida Lottery's Security Division at (850) 487-7730 and report it.