SACRAMENTO – While eyes are watching to see if someone is lucky enough to capture the $270 million MEGA Millions’ jackpot tomorrow, California Lottery officials warn of a scam arriving in some mailboxes.
The letter from LOTTO LINE claims the recipient has won “USA MEGA MILLIONS” and includes a check to be cashed and used to pay administrative fees. The check may look authentic, California Lottery officials say, but beware that if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
“It’s unfortunate that during such an exciting time, with the MEGA Millions’ jackpot topping $270 million, that criminals are trying to prey on our consumers," said Joan Borucki, director of the California Lottery. “I want to assure all players that the California Lottery is safe and secure. If you are contacted regarding a scam, please report it the California Lottery or your local law enforcement."
California Lottery officials add a person cannot win a lottery without having purchased or received a lottery ticket from a California Lottery retailer. The California Lottery will never ask you to send a processing fee to claim a prize. And there is never any "activation" process to claim a prize.
Individuals who have received this particular letter or any other scam letter should contact their post office and their local police agency or the California Lottery’s Security/Law Enforcement Division at 1-800-LOTTERY (1-800-568-8379).
More information on lottery scams is available at http://www.calottery.com/consumeralert.
More than 95 cents of every California Lottery dollar is returned to the community in the form of contributions to education, prizes and retail commissions. The California Lottery contributes at least 34 cents of every dollar that players spend on Lottery products to public education and returns more than 50 percent of sales to players in the form of prizes. Since its inception in 1985, the Lottery has contributed more than $20 billion to California schools out of total sales of nearly $55 billion. Retailers benefit too, earning $3.5 billion in compensation since 1985.