7 Lottery Scams to Avoid in 2026 (and How to Spot Each One)
Why scammers follow the jackpots
Tonight’s Mega Millions drawing is worth an estimated $345 million ($139.6 million cash), and wherever a jackpot climbs, scammers are not far behind. Every big-jackpot run brings a wave of fake “winner” calls, emails and texts targeting people who simply bought a ticket and hoped for the best.
The good news: nearly every lottery scam collapses the moment you know the one rule at the heart of this article. Read on, and you will be able to spot all seven of the most common scams in under a minute each.
The one rule that exposes almost every scam
Real lotteries never call, text or email you to tell you that you have won. Think about it: when you buy a ticket at a shop, the lottery does not have your phone number or email address. If you did not enter a lottery, you cannot have won it — and no genuine prize ever requires you to pay money upfront to claim it.
Keep that rule in your pocket and work through the seven scams below. Each one includes the red flags that give it away.
1. The advance-fee “release” scam
How it works: You get a call, email or letter saying you have won a big prize, but you must pay “taxes,” “processing fees” or “insurance” before it can be released. The fees keep growing, the prize never arrives.
Red flags: You are asked to pay anything to claim a win. Payment is demanded by wire transfer, gift cards or cryptocurrency. The caller pressures you to decide now and keep it secret.
The truth: Legitimate winnings are claimed at a lottery claim centre or through the official process on your state’s lottery website. Taxes on large prizes are withheld or settled through official channels — never paid to a stranger over the phone.
2. The fake check scam
How it works: A check arrives in the post — often for a few thousand dollars — with a letter saying it is a partial prize payment. You are told to deposit it and send part of it back to cover “fees.” The check bounces days later, and the money you sent is gone.
Red flags: A prize cheque arrives for a lottery you never entered. You are asked to send money back. The letter uses urgent, congratulatory language.
The truth: A real lottery never sends prize money through a stranger who asks for part of it back. Wait for any unexpected cheque to clear fully, and never send money in return.
3. Phishing websites and lookalike emails
How it works: An email that looks like it comes from Powerball, Mega Millions or your state lottery invites you to “claim your prize” by clicking a link and entering your details — handing scammers your identity.
Red flags: The sender’s address does not match the official domain. The email creates panic: “claim within 24 hours or forfeit.” Links lead to pages asking for bank details or Social Security numbers.
The truth: Official lotteries do not email prize notifications to people who bought tickets in shops. Type the lottery’s address into your browser yourself instead of clicking any link.
4. Social media impersonator accounts
How it works: A page or profile copying a real lottery’s logo messages you — or you see an ad — claiming you have been “randomly selected” as a winner. You are asked to pay a small “verification fee” or share personal details.
Red flags: The account is new, has few followers, or the name is slightly off. It contacted you first. It asks for money or private information by direct message.
The truth: Official lottery accounts never message strangers about winnings. Check the account’s follower count, post history and verification — and never pay to claim.
5. SMS and WhatsApp prize blasts
How it works: A text arrives out of the blue: “Congratulations! Your number won $250,000 in the Mega Lottery draw. Click here to claim.” The link harvests your details or installs malware.
Red flags: It comes from an unknown number. The lottery named is vague (“Mega Lottery,” “International Lotto”). It demands an immediate click.
The truth: You cannot win a draw you never entered, and official lotteries do not text strangers about prizes. Delete the message and block the number.
6. The crypto “verification deposit”
How it works: A newer twist: you are told your prize is held in cryptocurrency and must send a small “verification deposit” in crypto to unlock it. Crypto payments cannot be reversed, which is exactly why scammers love them.
Red flags: Any request involving cryptocurrency. Promises of instant, tax-free payouts. Instructions to use a crypto ATM or wallet app.
The truth: US lottery prizes are paid in dollars through official channels, never unlocked with a crypto deposit. Any crypto request means scam — full stop.
7. AI voice and deepfake calls
How it works: The newest and sneakiest: an AI-cloned voice — sometimes mimicking a real lottery official or even a family member — calls to say you have won and must act quickly.
Red flags: The call is unexpected and urgent. The “official” cannot answer simple questions about where and when you bought your ticket. Background audio sounds slightly unnatural.
The truth: Hang up and verify independently. If the caller claims to be family, call them back on a number you already know. A real win can always wait five minutes while you check.
Your 5-minute “is this real?” checklist
Whenever a win notification reaches you, run through this before doing anything else:
- Did I enter? If you never bought a ticket or entered a draw, it is a scam. This one question ends most scams instantly.
- Did they ask for money? Fees, taxes, deposits or gift cards to “release” a prize mean scam. Always.
- Check the source yourself. Search for the lottery’s official site independently and compare. Never trust contact details the message itself provides.
- Look for pressure. Urgency and secrecy (“don’t tell anyone”) are manipulation, not procedure. Real claims offices are in no hurry.
- When in doubt, pause. Talk it over with someone you trust before sending money or details anywhere.
And here is the reassuring part: checking your actual ticket is easy and safe. Use our lottery ticket checker to compare your numbers against the latest official results, and see the latest Mega Millions results any time.
Where to report a lottery scam
If you spot one of these scams — even if you did not fall for it — reporting helps protect others. In the US, you can report to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), or your state attorney general’s consumer protection office. Save the message, the sender’s details and any links before you delete them.
Protecting older relatives
Scammers disproportionately target older adults, who may be more trusting of official-sounding calls. The kindest thing you can do is share the one rule with the people you care about: a real lottery never calls you about a win, and a real win never costs money to claim. One calm conversation now can save someone a great deal of heartache later.
Frequently asked questions
Can you win a lottery you never entered?
No. If you did not buy a ticket or enter a promotion, any “win” notification is a scam. Delete it.
Will a real lottery ever ask me to pay fees to claim a prize?
No. Legitimate prizes are claimed through official lottery claim centres or your state lottery’s published process. You will never be asked to wire money, buy gift cards or send crypto to release a win.
What should I do if I already sent money to a scammer?
Stop all contact immediately, keep every message and receipt, and report it to the FTC and IC3. If you paid by bank transfer or card, contact your bank right away — some payments can still be stopped.
How do I check my real lottery results safely?
Go directly to the official lottery website or a trusted results page like our Mega Millions results hub. Never click a “results” link inside an unexpected win notification.
