Police Warn About Lottery Scams

CHARLOTTE, NC — More money, more problems. The record $1.5 billion Powerball lottery means lots of money for those with lucky numbers, but it may also bring out some scam artists.

The North Carolina Education Lottery is required to publish the names, locations and winning amount for certain prizes on its website. That can open the door for criminals.

CMPD Officer Chris Kopp talked with lottery investigators, who say winners need to be careful.

“Watch out who you are letting know that you win,” said Officer Kopp. “You know, if you have a ticket and it is a winner, especially a big winner, take a picture of the ticket. Don’t carry it around with you. And keep it in a secure place until you’re ready to cash it in. And then when you are, don’t announce to the world through social media and everywhere else that you have a ticket worth a lot of money.”

Officer Kopp says you also need to sign your lottery ticket and take a picture or video with it to help prove you are the winner.