Don’t Fall Victim to Lottery Scams This Holiday Season

The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery wants to remind players to stay alert while playing lottery games.

There are a lot of scams out there this time of the year and it's to fall victim to lottery scams if you're not paying attention. According to a press release, a person cannot win a lottery jackpot if they do not purchase a ticket. Be suspicious if someone says you have won a lottery prize on a game you have never played.

“Lottery scams are common but can be a little heightened during this time of year because that’s when people are more active with shopping and checking their emails for deals,” said ASL Executive Director Eric Hagler.

“They can receive a phone call, email, text, and even social media messages that seemingly appear true. Do not be fooled. Hagler added the only time lottery representatives might contact players is to notify them that they have won a Second-Chance Promotion or a Play It Again drawing through The Club.

A legitimate lottery official never asks winners to pay taxes upfront. Any required federal and state taxes are paid before the lottery releases the money to the winner.” Lotteries of foreign countries are illegal in the United States. If you have been contacted by a lottery claiming to be affiliated with the government of another country, it is a scam.

If you think you have been a victim of fraud or attempted fraud by someone posing as a representative of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, please report it to the Arkansas Lottery Security hotline at 1-888-606-6292 and the Arkansas Attorney General’s office at 1-800-482- 8982.