Lottery heartbreak: Florida man says he lost $500,000 ticketPrevious TopicNext Topic

WHOAH, you're being waay to harsh on this man.  First of, Ifhe lost the ticket, then possibly he also lost his claims to thewinnings, but there is a half-a-saving-grace in there, and that's theconfirmation ticket.   It's not much, bc he could have just aseasily found it, but then again he knows where it was originallybought.   Can't think of that many 69 year olds who are that sneaky tolie this late in life, but who knows.  Anyhow, If's if true what he's saying, and more along the line ofsomeone stealing it from this person, than that's an entirely differentstory.  But it doesn't clearly state in the story, which way hebelieves it really happened, which I think could be important. Anyhow, still age is no excuse,but you don't have to sound so mad, its not like the winnings arecoming out of YOUR bank account, anyway, if they do decide to give himthe money, unfortunately I agree he has to wait until the game expiresor until anyone turns in the same said ticket.  If it goes to court, bche does have a valid. slip then that's  A HECK OF A LOT MORE than mostpeople who get in this situation have, like Todd said. If he's beingtruthful, and If he does get a second chance, then I hope he gets half,or a third, but hopefully half.  :] It's better than nothing.

If no one tries to claim it, I hope he gets it all back, and G-d smiles on him a second time.   

ps - I don't think it's the lottery's job to baby sit but it's stilla business and they do have to take at least a half an effort to takecare of issues that come up like this, although its pretty clear theyprobably avoid alot of people coming through with for example thepeople that actually read the print and don't bother, lol, then againanything over 50,000 is probably worth looking into.   the others thatdo go no matter what even for 2000 or less, well, unfortunately, likeany business, its' not like the lotteries can just point and say, readthe ticket, although that's what it says, like any good  business,although not obliged. will at least listen to the complaint anyway.  But still, jeez...   what a pain.  lol.

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HiYoSilver

Umm ohh dear...time to take your meds then. You forgot.

Seriously learn empathy and logic. It will serve you well in life.

Another poster is correct that the payout could be delayed til after the game ends to ensure no one else attempts to claim it. Once the Claim ticket has been dispensed the Machine will not allow another person to -reclaim it . This will be interesteing to follow.

"Also wedon't know how the lottery is run there."

We don't need to know, because it has nothing to do with how the lottery is run. What matters is the laws regarding lost property, and they're absolutely crystal clear: you don't lose title to your property simply because you lose the property.

"It also doesn't explain why the lottery continues to print the fineprint that the ticket is a bearer instrument UNTIL SIGNED."

Because it's a useful warning that if you lose it, you may have trouble proving it's yours. It's no different than if it said the same thing on cash, which is also a bearer instrument.

"If alottery ticket belongs to the purchaser why does the lottery require asignature?"

The lottery doesn't require signature on the ticket. If the prize is large enough they may require one on a claim form.

"Why does the lottery here in the states say they arebearer instruments until signed?"

Again, because it's a useful warning.

I hope that this man makes a big effort to sleep and eat during this overwhelming, grief laden, trying, and embarassing time. 

Also, I hope that the lottery officials will contact the store, quickly, where this scratch-off lottery ticket winner indicated going to in order to receive "directions" to the relocated lottery headquarters.  Because, ideally, the store will still have a video recording of this original ticket holder waiting in line and possibly showing a ticket pick-pocket or drop from his pocket, during his -- probably delirious -- 'cloud 9/ecstasy' frame of mind visit there.

I once found a Mega ticket (QP) in a dark parking lot under an SUV, that turned out to win $7. I turned it in at the Courtesy Counter of the Store.

I find it odd that, when he was asking directions at the gas station, he mentioned "Lottery Headquarters" and someone happened to be near him who happened to be the type willing to assume that was the ticket in his back pocket wrapped in the papers, and then to go take it, assuming they'd be able to claim it. I am guessing that more likely it fell out when he was getting out of the car or getting something else from the same pocket. I would have said "Lottery HQ? Congratulations! Make sure you signed it and everything. OK, Take Route 1 and then bear right at..." Of course I use Google Earth to map out anything and being a guy I'd have been looking for free WiFi to get on it again.

I sign (and copy) any winning ticket, even winning $10, so nobody better TRY to take it! And I have a special fireproof gypsum-line lock box and I know where HQ is.

Yes, bring someone with you. Someone has to take a photo of you holding up the ticket with the Lottery HQ building in the background!

Wow! How a good samaritan you. But the question is would you do the same if it was the jackpot?

nope. it doesn't work that way. The person with the actual ticket should get the prize and by the way..by the way...by the way..I heard the ticket is a bearer instrument

Unfortunately it is difficult to know what you are responding to because you did not quote the original post by clicking the checkbox.

BLESS HIS HEART!!!  That's all I can say.  Listen, I work with a lot of older folks (between 60 & 70 years old)...not to mention my parents that misplace things all the time.  I'm pretty sure he thought he was being safe by hiding it among the other papers. 

Let's not be too quick to judge....we will all be that old one day (God willing) and will lose something valuable...be it our memory...keys...or a lottery ticket. 

Geez.....I could definitely slap him upside his head for what he did...but at the same time I want to give him a big hug and tell it's OK.  Life sucks sometimes, but life goes on.  Everything happens for a reason. Perhaps he'll be blessed a different way.