When there’s the potential for winning millions of dollars, there’s the potential for Powerball scams, and these are the latest alerts warning Powerball players to beware.
Just last month, the Central Oregon Daily News published a story warning Powerball players about one of the latest scams. Criminals have been emailing people, claiming to be multi-million-dollar Powerball winners, eager to give away their wealth as an act of random generosity. Of course, this Powerball scam is just one of many. And every year, hopeful Powerball winners fall prey to some of these tactics. Today, we’ll talk about this latest scam alert and others so you can be smart when it comes to playing Powerball safely.
When Powerball Winners Go Public, Their Names Become Targets
Pretending to be a Powerball winner, scammers will text random targets, offering to share their winnings as a random act of kindness. In Pasadena, these unscrupulous texters are now using actual Powerball winner names, pretending to be them. Edwin Castro, the Powerball winner who won the $2.04 billion jackpot, isn’t really giving away money. But the latest scammers are texting locals, pretending to be him, offering recipients the chance to be one of ten people they plan to gift $900,000. Here’s what Pasadena Now says the message looks like:
“I’m donating the sum $900,000 to 10 peoples. So once you receive this text message , you’re among the lucky winners.”
This message provides a phone number to call and concludes with a requirement to process a small “payment” to be eligible to receive the funds.
Phishing By Email
Beware of Powerball prize scams in the inbox. Whenever you receive unsolicited emails indicating that you’ve “won” something or are “eligible to win” a substantial prize, ignore it. These emails will often have what appear to be official logos and email addresses but will usually contain grammatical errors and slight distinguishable text differences. Just know there is no “National Lottery Winning Agency” out there, prepared to give you thousands of dollars.
Social Media Direct Message Scams
Social media platforms are common target venues for criminal phishing and Powerball scams. Some impersonate influencers or prominent content creators who are eager to hand out money. Others will DM you privately with links and directions to claim a prize you’ve won. In any of these scenarios, do not provide any personal or financial information. Ignore and delete the communications immediately, and never click on the links they provide.
Beware of Powerball Scams in the Mail
Some of the most “official” looking scams will arrive in the mail. There might be forged logos or signatures, with professional or legitimate-looking packaging. And these mailers might even include a fake check. Know that the only thing to do with these notices is file them in your trash. Powerball officials won’t ever send notices of winnings in the mail.
How to Spot a Powerball Scam
Consumers can be smart about watching out for Powerball scams. Here are a few red flags to look out for so you can protect yourself from would-be criminals.
- Unexpected Win Notification: You receive a message claiming you've won without even purchasing a ticket.
- Requests for Personal Information: The message asks for your Social Security number, bank account information, or full address under the guise of "claiming your prize."
- Upfront Fees or Payments: You’re asked to pay a fee, “taxes,” or any sort of processing fee to receive your winnings.
- Non-Official Communication Channels: Messages are sent from unofficial email addresses, text numbers, or social media profiles rather than through the official Powerball channels.
- Suspicious Links or Attachments: The message contains links or files encouraging you to click or download something to confirm your prize. These are often phishing attempts or malware.
- High-Pressure Tactics: Scammers will push for immediate action, often saying the offer is time-sensitive to prevent you from verifying its legitimacy.
- Grammatical Errors and Poor Language: The message has obvious grammar issues, odd phrasing, or uses all caps—official lottery communications are usually professionally written.
- No Official Confirmation Options: There’s no way to verify the message with an official Powerball contact or website, and the message lacks official branding or logos.
Be smart about playing Powerball, and be mindful of the potential scammers out there. Don’t let them steal your fun and big dreams of winning.