It seems like scam attempts have become a fact of life these days, but from the latest reports coming our way, some scammers are taking a slight twist in their approach.
We’ve heard from folks in the last week who all have received text messages claiming that they’ve won a big prize, or should enter a contest for a chance to win. In all of the instances, the scammers asked for the individual’s personally-identifying information – something you should never give out online for personal security purposes.
We’ve seen scams in the past that utilized telephone calls, letters and email, so we’re not surprised to see text messages in play as well. But it does appear to be a new twist. Scam operations are nearly impossible to trace and shut down because they generally are based outside the United States. You can have the most impact in thwarting their efforts by being alert and protecting yourself.
If someone contacts you and says you’ve won a big prize, ask yourself this basic question: Did I buy a ticket or enter that contest? If you didn’t, it’s likely a scam.
We have an entire section on our website dedicated to Player Security reminders, but here are a few quick highlights to remember:
• Keep your credit card, bank account and Social Security information private. Scam artists will often ask for them with the goal of accessing your accounts and stealing your money!
• Never pay processing fees, insurance or commissions to claim a lottery prize. Legitimate lotteries do not require winners to pay anything up front to receive a prize.
• Never believe a letter, phone call or Internet message from someone who claims they can guarantee you a prize. Legitimate lotteries do not guarantee that you will win a prize and do not require you to join a prize pool to play.
Hello. The answer to your question has two parts to it: The money from lottery prizes that expire without being claimed in Iowa goes into our prize pools for future games and promotions. So it will be used to pay prizes, just not those prizes that have expired. The proceeds raised from the sale of lottery tickets in Iowa have three main purposes: They provide support for our state's veterans and their families through the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund; help for a variety of significant projects through the state General Fund; and backing for the Vision Iowa program, which was implemented to create tourism destinations and community attractions in the state and build and repair schools.
Posted by: Mary Neubauer | March 06, 2017 at 09:18 AM
Lottery are all scams, other wise people would be more smaller winners. Where is all the non winning money going To? You diffently hide your money well.
Posted by: Saabdu2001 | March 05, 2017 at 10:39 AM
I think the law needs a "longer arm" to reach predators. It is very apparent that the law breakers think they cannot be caught or prosecuted if they are operating outside the United States. Where are the people in power of providing our safety and changing the law at?
Posted by: Carole Penning | February 07, 2017 at 01:40 PM