Pennsylvania Lottery Warns of Scam

MIDDLETOWN, Pennsylvania – (PRESS RELEASE) -- Recently, a number of consumers have received an e-mail titled "CONGRATULATION! CONGRATULATION!! CONGRATULATION!!!," which fraudulently uses Pennsylvania Lottery logos. These e-mails, as well as other similar e-mails touting a lottery prize, are a scam according to the Pennsylvania Lottery's Security Office.

The current fraud using the Pennsylvania Lottery name and logos is an attempt to access personal information, such as Social Security numbers or bank account information.

The Pennsylvania Lottery does not notify winners via e-mail or any other method when they win a Pennsylvania Lottery prize. Winners must contact the Lottery when they have a winning ticket. Each individual who wins a Powerball or other Pennsylvania Lottery jackpot prize must file a claim in person at Pennsylvania Lottery headquarters to receive his or her prize.

The Pennsylvania Lottery Security Office advises holders of potential winning Lottery jackpot tickets to sign the back of the ticket and keep it in a safe place until they file a claim. Jackpot winners should seek the advice of an attorney, financial adviser or investment counselor prior to contacting the Pennsylvania Lottery and filing a claim.

The Pennsylvania Lottery strongly advises people not to respond to suspicious e-mail or other correspondence claiming to be from the Pennsylvania Lottery. By responding, recipients alert senders that their e-mail account is active.

People who have lost money as a result of this type of scheme, or who have released personal or financial information in response to a fraudulent claim, should contact the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection at 1-800-441-2555, or visit http://www.attorneygeneral.gov.