Lottery Scams

Many scammers find their victims among lottery players as their hope of winning big usually makes them less skeptical when being contacted about a potential win. If you want to avoid falling victim to a scam, make sure you carefully read the information below. You will find out some quick ways in which you can spot a scam, plus some common tactics con artists use.

When something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you think you are getting scammed, here’s what to look out for:

  • You were advised that you won a substantial prize for a lottery you never entered
  • You are being asked to provide your personal details by someone you don’t know
  • In order to receive your prize, you are required to pay a fee
  • The message seems urgent and you are rushed into taking action - look out for phrases like "as soon as possible", "within 24/72 hours" etc.
  • There are grammatical errors in the message you received
  • The company contacting you refuses to provide any written information and it has no physical address

Want to keep safe? Here’s some advice you should keep in mind to avoid getting scammed.

Do's and Don'ts

Do

  • Purchase your tickets from authorized Ohio Lottery retailers only or from verified websites
  • Immediately contact the Ohio Lottery at (216) 774-5757 if you believe you are a victim of a lottery-related crime
  • Block any contact number claiming they are a lottery official

Don't

  • Help someone you don’t know to cash a lottery ticket
  • Give your personal information such as your bank account details, home address, or proof of identity to anyone you don’t know in person
  • Believe someone you don’t know claiming you have won a prize—legitimate lottery providers don’t contact you to advise you have won a prize, unless you entered a promotion or second-chance drawing organized by the Ohio Lottery Commission