when win big, can we hide our privacy?Prev TopicNext Topic

• gameboy

  

  United States
  Member #8,863
  November 20, 2004
  36 Posts
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  Jan 9, 2005, 4:05 pm

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  hi all,

  when we win big, like megamiilions and powerball or maybe $1,75,000, is there any option we hide our name, home address and other personal info from media? cos bad guys always watching big winner....like Jack Whit

  do we have to pay $$$ to hide our privacy
  thanks!
• rabbitfoot

  

  United States
  Member #620
  August 25, 2002
  205 Posts
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  Jan 9, 2005, 7:12 pm

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  Under the Freedom of Information Act, I doubt if one can truely hide there winnings.  And, I still have my doubts that one could hide their identity by taking their winnings via a trust.

  I play to dream and dream of winning a major jackpot!
• Gentlespirit

  

  North Carolina
  United States
  Member #4,313
  April 11, 2004
  2,389 Posts
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  Jan 9, 2005, 7:41 pm

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  Gee whiz, I hope I have the opportunity one day to worry about that subject!

  Gentlespirit
  'Be Loving and Peaceful'
• Badger

  

  Wisconsin
  United States
  Member #1,303
  March 27, 2003
  1,508 Posts
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  Jan 9, 2005, 7:51 pm

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  As far as I understand, it's a public lottery ; therefore, the information is available to anyone who wants to request it.

  This is probably why (according to stories I've heard on the news) that Jackpot winners are already receiving phone calls and mail from people looking for "donations" and handouts that they've never heard of before, even before they get their first check.

  ============

  How can you tell if a politician is lying?

  Answer: His lips are moving.
• acme

  

  EU
  Estonia
  Member #4,217
  April 1, 2004
  25 Posts
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  Jan 11, 2005, 4:39 pm

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  Hi all,

  As far as a know there are at least few trusts who collected big Powerball jackpot. I wonder, if press doesn`t know who you are and just write:"winner collected money as ABC LLC" then how anybody else, beside your lawer, irs and lottery peaple, could ever know your name, adress etc?

  What`s the point of trust if we cannot TRUST it?
• tg636

  

  United States
  Member #972
  December 30, 2002
  468 Posts
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  Jan 13, 2005, 12:57 pm

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  A trust would be the way to go for total privacy, especially for a huge jackpot that would make headlines.  But I believe even if your name is out there, you can still act firmly and sensibly to avoid excess publicity, like non-lottery millionaires do. Be as boring as possible. Don't allow your picture to be posed for the paper or lottery web site, don't give interviews (or give one and that's it), don't respond to begging requests, change phone number to unlisted, don't claim money while living at your current address, in fact go on a world trip and don't go to your home for several months after winning and consider moving to another state or country when you return.  In a year or 2, you will be just another wealthy person among many and not many people will care about the source of your wealth.  Unless your life is a series of screw ups, like Jack Whittaker.