Lottery heartbreak: Florida man says he lost $500,000 ticket

Comment #38

dopey7719 — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 02:30:39 GMT

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 a... [ More ]

Comment #37

Todd — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 01:56:55 GMT

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

Comment #36

kingssean — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 01:53:21 GMT

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

Comment #35

kingssean — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 01:45:13 GMT

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

Comment #34

LckyLary — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 17:29:25 GMT

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 o... [ More ]

Comment #33

HaveABall — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:12:51 GMT

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... [ More ]

Comment #32

KY Floyd — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 06:17:51 GMT

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 troub... [ More ]

Comment #31

TheGameGrl — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:12:57 GMT

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.

Comment #30

LotteryJunkiE99 — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:57:44 GMT

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 steal... [ More ]

Comment #29

konane — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:28:34 GMT

Until fully sorted out I'll also wonder.

Agree with Rick G and Perdue he was very careless handling a ticket worth that much. I'd be considering a zip lock bag taped to my body for a ticket worth a half mil.

Comment #28

Coin Toss — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:20:35 GMT

While I do feel sympathy for the guy in this story and sincerely hope he does get paid, but as has been said here, putting something worth 500 large in a back pocket and standing in a line is really not too swift.

I wouyld think most people with such a ticket would keep it in sight and check that it was still there about every 15 seconds, no

Comment #27

PERDUE — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:16:20 GMT

Comment #26

LottoPools — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:00:50 GMT

I know the gentleman has the confirmation ticket but why does the story include so much information about where he bought the scratch off? Seems like I remember reading a story on here recently that said part of claiming a ticket could include identifying the place of purchase. Whoever found the ticket now has that information.

Comment #25

SpanaUnlimited — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:37:49 GMT

That's true that the UKcourts ruled that finders/keepers didn't apply in that case. Although I don't know the specifics of the law in the UK. Also wedon't know how the lottery is run there. Also the specifics from the article from the UK case is kinda vague. Do they have all of thelegal fine print on the back of the ticket there like we do here in theUS? Is the claim process in the UK different the the claim processhere in the states?

It also doesn't explain why the lottery continues to print... [ More ]

Comment #24

GamerMom — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:56:43 GMT

no WAY would I put it in my pocket!!

Heck even Charlie Applebee knows better:

http://fgff.indie-fest.com/?p=16

Comment #23

RJOh — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:45:36 GMT

By trust worthy friends do you mean friends who wouldn't ask you to share your winnings with them

Comment #22

Set4life — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:15:36 GMT

I dont know why but this sounds kinda fishy, if ive won that much. I would get my a-ss home and have a beer, then SIGN it, have trust worthy friends to go with me and claim my prize

Comment #21

Rick G — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:41:31 GMT

His back pocket mixed with some other papers was the worst way of transporting the ticket. All men know (or should know) that their back pocket is the most vulnerable pocket for pickpocketing and for papers to slip out. If he was that careless with the ticket then he would probably have been that careless with his winnings.

Comment #20

Todd — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:36:22 GMT

I think you're right. There is a lot of precedent for people who lose a lottery ticket, but there is some good proof that they own it. The person finding the ticket in that case does not get to keep the money.

Here's a great example from a very recent news story:

https://www.lotterypost.com/news/197606

Comment #19

HiYoSilver — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 12:57:34 GMT

Let's suppose this guy lost the ticket getting into his car and drives away. Five minutes later you pull into the spot and pick up the ticket. Would you turn it in? Or would you cash it? It clearly states it a bearer instrument, so he who has it owns it

What about finding a ticket that had not been checked? Clearly someone else bought it, but lost it. Why is the fact that he checked it any different?

Personally, I would give it back and hope that karma catches up with me later.... [ More ]

Comment #18

charmed7 — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:35:35 GMT

Man that sucks, I hate to misplace anything. Hopefully he will get something

out of it, being that he has a confirmation ticket.

Comment #17

inittowin — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 07:49:32 GMT

He claims that life is tough for him right now. I owe everybody he says, supposedly, his only income is Social Security and he's sportin' $20 scratch off tickets! What the...

The way I see it is, ya still have to be smarter than that lottery ticket that you buy

Comment #16

ThatScaryChick — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 04:13:18 GMT

The person who finds the scratch ticket is the new owner entitled to cash it. I would hope the lottery would inform this person there is a problemwith ownership and allow the parties to split the prize or take it tocourt. This part is a fantasy day dream, sorry.

BobP, I don't think it is necessarily true that whoever finds the ticket will be the new owner. Or it won't work in this case.

Mr. Tolentino has already reported the ticket missing to the lottery officials and the police. He has t... [ More ]

Comment #15

BobP — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 03:55:38 GMT

Cut the guy some slack. He's a 69 year old retired garbage man for goodness sake. The lottery should be prepared to deal with the portion of their customer base that don't fully grasp the rules of collecting the prizes.

In my opinion, an honest lottery corporation would wait until the scratch ticket expires, and if not cashed in they can pay the claim based on the validation slip.

The person who finds the scratch ticket is the new owner entitled to cash it. I would hope the lottery w... [ More ]

Comment #14

DoctorEw220 — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 03:36:27 GMT

Ok. I'm not saying that this guy is or is not lying about the story, but do we all remember who Elecia Battle was? If not, look her up. Her story is pretty similar to this guy's.

Comment #13

wannawin24 — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 03:31:10 GMT

Careless is forgetting to lock your front door at night or leave your car door open and your battery goes dead. But this man had the ticket in HIS OWN back pocket. So, if as he stated someone got close to him that does not give them the right to take it. Come on have a heart.

Comment #12

SpanaUnlimited — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 02:46:12 GMT

Technically the lottery doesn't have to pay unless the instructions of claiming are followed. Most require the actual ticket. Now if someone returns with the actual ticket or scratcher.....then the lottery is obligated to pay.

Here in NM...it clearly states the ticket is bearer instrument until signed. Also ONLY the actual ticket can be used to make a claim. Payslips, etc are not legal tender. That is why most lottery tickets have the fine print at the back of the ticket with all that legal j... [ More ]

Comment #11

PERDUE — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 02:33:52 GMT

Oh Waaaaaa Waaaaaa!!!! What a common sob story. If you don't have the common sense to sign your ticket and put it in a safe place then I have no pity for your stupidity and carelessness. If he lost it then good!!! I bet he's not as careless with his social security check. I bet he was not as careless with his paycheck when he worked. Nor is he as careless with his income tax check. And if he was that absentminded then he should have taken his wife along. If his pocket was picked, then it was pro... [ More ]

Comment #10

KY Floyd — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 02:06:18 GMT

Signing the ticket would certainly prevent somebody else from cashing it, but at the very least the lottery office will do a thorough security check before paying anyone else who presents the ticket. Whether a confirmation ticket is issued or not, if a winning ticket is scanned in a lottery terminal the lottery should have a record that identifies that ticket, along with when and where it was scanned. Unless somebody else can produce the ticket and tell the lottery office when and where it was s... [ More ]

Comment #9

ohiopick3 — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 01:54:57 GMT

Good Luck to this person?

Yes, I hope the confirmation receipt will stand for him in court or from the lottery commission.

If a confirmation receipt was given, It would void out any other cashable ticket with the same code on it.

But, if I won that much, I would have at least 2 or 3 people with me on the way to the lottery headquarters.

And not be driving alone. Anything more than that, I'd be talking to an attorney first.

It's hard to believe that a confirmation ticket would be p... [ More ]

Comment #8

duckman — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 01:32:29 GMT

I saw this on the news also. If the news stories are correct in their facts, eventually he will get the money. He does have the confirmation ticket which the lottery terminal printed out when the ticket was scanned. He also has a witness (the store clerk) who scanned the ticket. I'm sure the clerk noticed it was a big winner. The question is how long it will take the lottery to conduct the investigation.

If someone else submits the ticket for payment, the lottery will not pay out immediate... [ More ]

Comment #7

RJOh — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:30:06 GMT

I do hope the Lotto people let me cash this with the confirmation ticket from the liquor store, he said.

He should have protected the real ticket as well as he protected that confirmation ticket.

I've seen this before, a player will have an old playslip with his favorite numbers and he'll protect it better than the ticket he buys saying I can't afford to lose this playslip 'cause it has my favorite numbers on it even though the playslip isn't proof of the numbers he played.... [ More ]

Comment #6

larry3100 — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:09:03 GMT

My god !. What's wrong with this guy. He should have put the ticket in his wallet. All men have wallets. Right ?. I wish him luck getting his money.

Comment #5

ThatScaryChick — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 23:30:59 GMT

That's what I am wondering. Especially, when it's something worth half a million dollars.

Comment #4

DC81 — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 22:59:19 GMT

I saw this on CNN earlier..... Why oh why would you leave something like that in your back pocket

Comment #3

Littleoldlady — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:03:19 GMT

I hope they investigate and find out he is the true winner of the money. There are just too many thieves around ..just waiting for an opportunity to relieve us of our money..what little we have.

Comment #2

CARBOB — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 20:03:33 GMT

I can only hope and pray the poor soul doesn't have an heart attack from all the stress and the Florida Lottery accepts the confirmation slip.

Comment #1

NBey6 — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:41:37 GMT

What a devastating thing to have happen to you and there is a lesson in it for all of us. Do your research before you win, regarding where you have to go and why. Take someone with you (spouse, child over 18 of course), sign the ticket right away and copy, copy, copy your winning ticket along with the confirmation ticket, if given one. I always copy my tickets worth more than $500.

I will say a special prayer for this gentleman

Lottery heartbreak: Florida man says he lost $500,000 ticket

Lottery Post — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:35:46 GMT

Florida Lottery security officials have opened an investigation into the case of a 69-year-old Wellington man who lost a scratch-off ticket worth $500,000.

But it's too early to tell if Louis Tolentino will get the money.

They have begun an investigation, but there's nothing conclusive at this time, said Laurie Wright, spokeswoman for The Florida Lottery.

Tolentino is behind on his mortgage. His maintenance payments are past due. Medical bills are mounting.

His $500,000 scratch-off... [ More ]