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Eastern Time (GMT-5:00) | Home -> Forums -> Lottery News -> Illinois lottery winners' checks bounced Illinois lottery winners' checks bounced Illinois Lottery: Illinois lottery winners' checks bouncedRating: Includes audio report
Eighty-five Illinois Lottery winners last week probably thought they were lucky — until they tried to cash in their winnings, that is. Their checks, totaling $159,000 in lottery winnings, were no good. Two days after Christmas, Maureen Furio of Lake Zurich bought an instant scratch-off ticket and won $1000. The next day, she got a check from the lottery. "I deposited it the same day and went ahead and paid some extra Christmas bills," Furio says. "And Jan. 3, it bounced." "Not bounced ... returned," says Mike Lang, spokesman for the Illinois Lottery. He says lottery officials failed to key in the required security verification on the checks issued on Dec. 28. "We apologize for the inconvenience that these players have incurred," Lang says. Lang says Furio and the 84 other winners who tried to get their winnings but couldn't can re-submit the checks. He says the state lottery will reimburse them for any bank fees. LISTEN to the radio report . WBBM We'd love to see your comments here! Register for a FREE membership — it takes just a few moments — and you'll be able to post comments here and on any of our forums. If you're already a member, you can Log In to post a comment. 21 comments. Last comment 4 months ago by . Mcminnville, Oregon United States Member #3070 December 13, 2003 1516 Posts Online | | Posted: January 6, 2012, 5:26 pm - IP Logged | |
That has to suck bounced checks what a bummer!-weshar75 | | |
North Carolina United States Member #65081 September 1, 2008 268 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 6, 2012, 5:31 pm - IP Logged | |
Wow - not cool! But - at least they are willing to pay for any bounced fees. That's a decent thing to do! "Don't be a schmuck, always take the cash." -Coin Toss | | |
United States Member #47874 November 4, 2006 3928 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 6, 2012, 5:56 pm - IP Logged | |
Hint....If you live in Ill get your winnings in cash no matter how much it is... | | |
Kentucky United States Member #33045 February 14, 2006 3105 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 6, 2012, 6:06 pm - IP Logged | |
Didn't the Illinois state government just sell the Illinois Lottery to a private corporation? | | |
British Columbia Canada Member #116120 September 4, 2011 992 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 6, 2012, 7:08 pm - IP Logged | |
kinda scary  I'll take cash money  "You have to be in it to win it!" | | |
PA United States Member #66644 October 16, 2008 1114 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 6, 2012, 7:14 pm - IP Logged | |
I know something from IL that I would like to return! :$ | | |
S.E.Iowa United States Member #120520 December 21, 2011 335 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 6, 2012, 7:32 pm - IP Logged | |
I've always had trouble cashing instant lottery tickets (over $100) in Illinois.I used to play Mega Millions in Illinois.I'm glad that I never had the problem that these folks had.Oh,that's right,you have to win before it's a problem.~;) | | |
United States Member #4963 May 30, 2004 3392 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 6, 2012, 7:58 pm - IP Logged | |
kinda scary I'll take cash money KINDA SCARY>>>U got that "RIGHT "   | | |
Gurnee, Illinois United States Member #50189 February 12, 2007 607 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 7, 2012, 8:30 am - IP Logged | |
kinda scary I'll take cash money Not really. The problem wasn't that the Illinois Lottery didn't have the funds to pay the prizes (now that would be scary). It was simply an administrative or procedural requirement that hadn't been performed that was necessary for these checks to be honored by the receiving financial institution. Jackpot winners don't have this to worry about since the proceeds are wired to specified bank accounts. Non story really as I am sure the Illinois Lottery had proactively contacted all affected after this was first discovered. And no, I don't work for the lottery...hell I want to win a jackpot one day though I know working as the head of any lottery is the equivalent of winning the lottery! Get MONEY!!! Winning a JACKPOT lottery is all the HOPE and CHANGE I desire!!! NOW give me MONEY! | | |
NEW YORK. RIVERHEAD United States Member #106399 February 17, 2011 5387 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 7, 2012, 4:47 pm - IP Logged | |
looks like the lottery administrative had some jackdaniels going while processing the checks for the winners | | |
United States Member #13375 March 30, 2005 2113 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 7, 2012, 5:12 pm - IP Logged | |
... in case there was any doubt remaining about cash vs annuity ... In neo-conned Amerika, bank robs you.
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms should be the name of a convenience store, not a govnoment agency. | | |
Indiana United States Member #49185 January 7, 2007 1813 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 7, 2012, 6:40 pm - IP Logged | |
This is why I don't spend the money as soon as I deposit it. I always wait until the check clears. Gonna win. | | |
United States Member #24847 October 23, 2005 159 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 8, 2012, 5:27 am - IP Logged | |
This is why I don't spend the money as soon as I deposit it. I always wait until the check clears. Amen. And even then, you have to be careful. The check can clear, and then be pulled back a month later, two months, three, after an investigation. As for the state paying for bounced check fees, are they are also going to make sure that the chex systems reports of all affected parties are wiped clean? You never know. I'm not sure how that works, but I wouldn't want someone to get on a company's 'List' because the state bounced a check, and it caused a cascading effect. Also, I can't believe the cheek of that man trying to play word games: returned not bounced. Please! | | |
GO TIGERS MICHIGAN United States Member #82269 October 28, 2009 8814 Posts Online | | Posted: January 8, 2012, 9:33 am - IP Logged | |
Yikes, think they need to train their employees better. | | |
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