It seems there’s always a new scam out there, and Powerball players should consider these tips to spot Powerball scams.
For those who enjoy playing Powerball, there are a few things to know. It’s all fun and games until you fall prey to some Powerball scam that not only ruins your playing experience, but it can also cost you. Powerball winner scams have been around as long as Powerball itself. And there always seems to be a new and innovative way that would-be villains try to siphon money from those who win. But there are other scams to be aware of, too. Here are a few tips to help you spot those Powerball scams and avoid them.
Scams That Tell You You’ve Won
If anyone reaches out to you, at any time, via email, call, or text, telling you that you’ve won, it’s a Powerball scam. Delete those messages, and don’t ever click on any links or websites the messages provide. Remember, in Powerball, only you can determine if your ticket is a winning one. Anyone who’s trying to engage with you about being a winner otherwise is phishing and not related to anything Powerball officially.
To verify if you’ve won any prize amount, you’ll need to compare the drawn numbers to your ticket. You can watch television for drawings since many local stations broadcast those drawings live. You can visit the place where you purchased your Powerball ticket and ask that they check your numbers for you against that game’s chosen balls. And there are convenient apps to help you stay on top of each Powerball drawing.
Scams That Ask for Money
When you become a Powerball winner of any sizable prize, there might also be some publicity. When strangers learn of your monetary windfall, you can automatically become a target for Powerball scams. There have been countless stories from winners who began receiving notices or communications, describing bizarre scenarios, and asking for payment. There is no fee to claim your Powerball prize, ever. And outside of the taxes you pay before collecting your jackpot, no other individual or agency has a claim to your winnings. If at any point you’re asked to pay by a person or organization, just contact your local Powerball official office to clarify. They’ll tell you you’re likely dealing with a Powerball scam.
Scams That Ask for Sensitive Information
You’re accustomed to warnings about giving out your personal information to strangers, especially over the phone or electronically. That same principle applies to Powerball, as well. Should you ever be asked for personal, sensitive, or identifying information regarding a recent Powerball ticket purchase or potential win, don’t fall for it. It’s a Powerball scam designed to collect data from you that can be sold or used nefariously without your consent. Remember, even when claiming a multi-million-dollar Powerball prize, you can do so anonymously. There won’t ever be a need for you to provide any details about yourself to any third party, ever.
Scammers Who Pretend They’re Powerball Officials
If you’re ever contacted in any way by someone claiming to be a Powerball official, beware. Powerball offices won’t reach out to you at any point to discuss your ticket, to tell you that you’ve won, or to ask for fees. And today’s Powerball scammers can make those emails or voicemails look and sound incredibly official. But don’t subscribe to them. Should you have any concerns about the validity of a message, just reach out to your local Powerball official office for clarification. And don’t exchange information or even respond to those scammers.
Powerball winners will tell you that there are some pretty sneaky folks out there. And in some instances, past winners have changed their phone numbers and email addresses to avoid the scamming activity. Be mindful and on alert, just as you would with any other suspicious communication. And don’t let the presence of Powerball scams deter you from playing. Just keep these instances in mind, so you know how to spot the bad apples and avoid them.