Lottery scams—
The California Lottery never sends out unsolicited emails, direct messages, texts, or phone calls. Nor does it ask winners to pay fees or taxes in advance to claim a prize. Only frausters do that. So watch out! Scammers are out to trick you into giving up your sensitive information and or hard-earned money.
In a recent press release, the California Lottery warns that it has received an uptick in scam reports, from “both local law enforcement agencies and likely victims.” Legitimate prizes can only be claimed after a lottery ticket is purchased, and an official claim form is submitted “through the California Lottery’s established process.”
Other reminders from the CA Lottery:
- Never share credit card information, bank account details, or social security numbers with anyone claiming to offer lottery prizes.
- Only purchase lottery tickets through the 23,000 authorized California retailers.
- California Lottery games cannot be played through mobile apps, and tickets cannot be purchased online.
- Also, citizenship is not a factor when it comes to playing lottery games or claiming a California lottery prize.
The California Lottery Security and Law Enforcement Division works with local and state authorities to investigate reports of criminal activity and to reportedly “protect the integrity of Lottery operations.”
If you suspect any fraudulent activity or have questions about prize claims, you can call the Lottery’s customer service line at 1-800-LOTTERY (1-800-568-8379) Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., or send an email to customerservice@calottery.com.
