Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird has issued a warning to Iowans about the prevalence of lottery scams, which led to nearly $340 million in losses for Americans last year.
These scams involve con artists convincing victims that they have won a prize and then manipulating them into making payments to receive it.
“Scammers are professional manipulators and thieves,” said Attorney General Bird. “They exploit Iowans’ hopes and dreams before stealing from them, taking not just money but also confidence, joy, trust, and livelihood. I urge Iowans to be vigilant and remember that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you have to pay for your prize, it is a scam.”
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One example involved an Iowa woman who received a call from an unknown number, claiming she had won $5.5 million, a brand new 2023 Mercedes Benz, and $5,000 a week for life.
Over the course of the day, the scammer called her eight times, building trust before instructing her to pay a $2,000 fee to claim her prize. She withdrew from her investments and deposited the money at the instructed bank, only to be asked for more money later. Realizing the scam, she sought help from local law enforcement.
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How Scammers Trick You:
- Scammers notify you via call, text, email, or mail that you’ve won a lottery, sweepstakes, or prize.
- They demand upfront payments to collect your winnings or cover related taxes/fees.
- They request personal/financial information through emails or texts to claim lottery wins or prizes.
- Scammers pose as lottery officials or representatives from well-known companies running sweepstakes to sell fake tickets or entries, demand money, or obtain personal/financial details.
How to Protect Yourself from Lottery Scams:
- If you have to pay for your prize, it’s a scam.
- Hang up or ignore unsolicited calls or messages.
- Never provide personal or financial information over the phone or email to unknown individuals claiming lottery or prize winnings.
- Report suspicious activity to the Iowa Attorney General’s Office or local law enforcement.
If you or someone you know has been targeted by a lottery scam, contact the Iowa Attorney General’s office at 888-777-4590 or file a complaint online: Iowa Attorney General’s Consumer Complaint.
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