The Florida Lottery is sounding the alarm, urging players to be extra vigilant as reports of sophisticated phone scams continue to surge. Scammers are reportedly contacting individuals, falsely claiming they’ve won substantial lottery prizes and then demanding upfront payments for “taxes” or requesting sensitive personal information.
The Florida Lottery unequivocally states that it will never contact players by phone call, social media, or text message to inform them of a prize, nor will it ever ask for money to claim a prize.
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“These scams are not only deceitful – they’re dangerous,” emphasized Florida Lottery Secretary John F. Davis. “We want to remind our players that the Florida Lottery does not charge fees to claim prizes, and you should never provide your Social Security number, bank details, or make any form of payment in response to a call or message claiming you’ve won.”
How to Protect Yourself: Key Warnings from the Florida Lottery
The Lottery is advising anyone who receives a suspicious call, email, or message to take immediate action:
- Hang up immediately. If you have any doubts, end the call as quickly as possible.
- Do not provide any personal or financial information. The Florida Lottery will never call and ask for your personal information.
- Report the scam. It’s crucial to report all scams to the Florida Lottery’s Division of Security at (850) 487-7730 or to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at 1-800-HELP-FLA.
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Legitimate Prize Claims
It’s important to remember that legitimate Lottery winnings can only be claimed in person at Florida Lottery offices or by mail, and only if the player possesses a valid winning ticket. Do not fall victim to these deceptive tactics.
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