Every big Powerball jackpot brings a wave of scams: messages saying you've won, jackpot winners “giving away” money, requests for a fee to release a prize. They all rely on the same trick, so two rules will protect you from almost all of them: you can't win a lottery you didn't enter, and you never pay to collect a prize.
The two rules
- You can't win without a ticket. Lotteries don't contact people out of the blue by email, text or social media to say they've won, unless they entered an official lottery promotion.
- Real prizes are never paid for. No lottery asks for fees, taxes up front, customs charges or gift cards before paying a prize. If you have to pay, it's a scam.
The most common scams
- “You've won” messages. An email, text, letter or call says you've won Powerball, or an “international” lottery, and asks for a fee or your details to release the money.
- Jackpot giveaways. A fake social media account or text, using the name of a real jackpot winner, offers to share the prize with you. First you have to pay a fee or send a code.
- Fake checks. You receive a check for part of your “prize” and are asked to send some of it back for taxes or fees. The check bounces days later, after your money is gone.
- Foreign lotteries. According to the FTC, messages about a foreign lottery are almost certainly from a scammer.
- Guaranteed-win systems. Software, “secret formulas” or predictions sold with a promise that you'll win. No system can predict the numbers.
- Fake lottery sites and apps. Pages that look official, sell “tickets” that don't exist or collect your card details.
Red flags
- Pressure to act now, or the prize will be lost.
- Requests to pay by gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency or cash.
- Requests for your bank account, card number or Social Security number to “verify” a win.
- A message addressed to “Dear winner” instead of your name, with spelling mistakes.
- An offer to keep it secret, even from your family or bank.
- A “lottery official” calling from a personal number or writing from a free email account.
How to check that a site is official
In the U.S., Powerball is only sold by the state lotteries and their authorized retailers, and online by some state lotteries on their own sites and apps. To check a site, start from your state lottery's official website and follow its links rather than a search ad or a link in a message. The official game site is powerball.com, and it doesn't sell tickets directly.
This site is independent: we publish results and information and don't sell tickets or pay prizes. Where you can play legally is explained in where to play Powerball.
Protect your ticket
A paper ticket belongs to whoever holds it until it's signed. Sign the back as soon as you buy it, keep it safe, and never post a photo of a ticket showing the barcode, even to celebrate a win: it can be used to claim the prize.
Be careful, too, with strangers who ask you to cash a winning ticket for them or who say they can collect a prize on your behalf for a fee.
In a lottery pool? Get it in writing
Office and family pools are popular, and disputes are common when a prize comes in. Write down who's in, how much each person paid and how prizes will be shared, and give everyone a copy of the tickets before the drawing. Our tips for playing Powerball have a checklist.
What to do if you've been targeted
- Stop replying. Don't call back, click links or open attachments.
- Don't send money or personal details, however convincing the story.
- If you've already paid, contact your bank or card issuer straight away and ask them to stop or reverse the payment.
- Report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and let your state lottery and your state attorney general know.
- Warn people close to you, especially older relatives, who are often targeted by these scams.
The FTC's guide to fake prize, sweepstakes and lottery scams has more examples.
Frequently asked questions
Does Powerball contact winners?
No. Powerball and the state lotteries don't contact people by email, text or social media to say they've won a drawing. Winners find out by checking their own tickets.
Do I have to pay a fee to claim a Powerball prize?
Never. Federal taxes are withheld by the lottery from the prize itself; nobody legitimate will ask you to pay anything up front. A request for money is a scam.
Is the Powerball winner giving away money on social media real?
No. Accounts and texts offering to share a jackpot are scams that use real winners' names to get fees or personal details from you.
Where do I report a lottery scam?
At ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the Federal Trade Commission's site. You can also tell your state lottery and your state attorney general's office.
Last reviewed: . Independent information: official results are published by the lottery that runs the game.