Powerball players often wonder if those communications they see on social media, claiming to be Powerball officials connecting about a win, are valid.
So much of today’s community and social interactions happen online that it's become commonplace for consumers to believe in and subscribe to official online accounts. Most of your customer service interactions happen via email and social media, too. So, what about Powerball playing?
While you can explore tons of Powerball-related content online and interact with Powerball socially, what you really need to know is if Powerball officials reach out to winners online. And when you see those social media messages about potentially winning a Powerball prize, should you view them as a scam, or are they legitimate?
Keep reading as we share all the Powerball official details about winning, connecting with people online, and what to do if you receive a Powerball-related message on social media. While social media can be a great resource for you, it can also present certain risks.
You Can Buy Powerball Tickets Online
Some of your interactions with Powerball can legitimately be online. For example, heading over to the website, you’ll find inspirational winner stories, the latest drawing details, and previous weeks’ numbers. You can also explore the FAQ pages to get answers to those most common Powerball-related questions. And for added convenience, you can purchase your Powerball tickets online, too.
Social Media Requests for Money to Collect Powerball
It’s important to note that whenever you encounter what seems to be a message from a Powerball or lottery official on social media, directly or via private messages, it’s not a legitimate representative. Yes, you can follow verified Powerball accounts online for general drawing news and information. But no one from your official office will ever contact individuals directly regarding drawings or winning. And under no circumstances should you ever pay anyone a fee in exchange for collecting a Powerball prize.
Does Powerball Contact Winners on Social Media?
Remember, whenever and wherever you play Powerball that it’s your responsibility to verify if your numbers are a winning combination. While Powerball can report if a winning ticket exists and even where it had been purchased, Powerball officials don’t have access to player information, nor will they ever contact you about winning. If you firmly believe you have a winning ticket or aren’t sure if your ticket has won a prize, take it to an authorized Powerball retailer and have it scanned to verify. Powerball officials won't ever reach out to you about winning, either on social media, via email, or by mail.
Social Media Scams from Powerball Winners
There have been instances where previous Powerball jackpot winners appear to be showing up on social media, claiming to be giving away prizes. These are also suspicious, especially if there are inquiries about your personal information or requirements for payment. In the past, Powerball winners have warned the public about their names and identities being stolen, then used for nefarious purposes on social media. Just remember; it's highly unlikely anyone winning a substantial Powerball prize is going to take to strangers on social media offering handouts.
What to Do If You Encounter a Suspicious Message
Any messages or inquiries you receive on social media or elsewhere regarding a potential win, past winner handing out cash, or solicitation of fees to collect a prize, are fraudulent. You can contact your local Powerball Headquarters to report suspicious communications and avoid interacting with those fraudulent social media accounts altogether.
Be mindful of scams, especially when it comes to multi-million dollar prizes from Powerball. You can always find resourceful information and guidelines online through verified Powerball channels. But they’ll never reach out to you about a Powerball drawing. Be safe whenever and however you play, and make sure you can spot a scam before falling prey to their fraudulent requests.