“Telephone scam artists are preying on state residents, and the New Jersey Lottery and New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs are warning everyone to be wary of any caller who claims he or she represents the Lottery. New Jerseyans are getting calls saying they will receive a big jackpot if they only pay small “processing fees,” said Carole Hedinger, Acting Lottery Director.
“The Lottery never requires winners to pay a fee to collect what they are owed, and prizes can never be claimed over the telephone,” Hedinger said. “Recipients of these fraudulent calls by scam artists should immediately report the incidents to the Lottery, the Division of Consumer Affairs, or the police.”
“As part of their scams, thieves ask for bank account and credit card numbers and other personal information. The Lottery never asks for personal financial information over the phone,” said Thomas R. Calcagni, Acting Director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.
“Unfortunately, these lottery scam artists take advantage of unsuspecting people,” Calcagni said. “If New Jersey residents believe they may have been victims of a hoax, they are urged to contact the Lottery’s Security Office at (609) 599-6100 or the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs at (800) 242-5846.”
The New Jersey Lottery and the Division of Consumer Affairs provide these tips to help players, retailers and the general public protect themselves against scams:
• NEVER provide your credit card number or funds in the form of cash, money order or check to anyone promising lottery winnings.
• If approached by someone promising you lottery winnings or offering a winning lottery ticket for cash, immediately call the New Jersey Lottery Security Office or New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.
• Only buy lottery tickets from one of the 6,100 authorized New Jersey Lottery retailers. To find the closest agent location, call (609) 599-5800.
• Monitor the Lottery’s website ( www.njlottery.net ) and retailer locations for the most current New Jersey Lottery promotions, winning numbers and instant tickets.
• Never redeem a Lottery ticket for someone other than yourself.
