Accusations of "disturbing" new claims procedures after Allwyn sends investigator to winner's home

Comment #29

LottoBux — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 12:52:49 GMT

Sorry,

But this story isn't about the US state lotteries.

It's about why Allwyn decided to send an investigator to the winner's home for proof of identity.

How did they contact her?

Most older folks or seniors have heard about online/email/text scams.

One could be terrified that someone coming by your residence to verify a ticket could be a scam.

They could be thinking of a possible home invasion or they're coming to steal your ticket.

Just sounds strange from... [ More ]

Comment #28

Artist77 — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 10:19:11 GMT

JP Morgan is larger but they are a distant second reputation wise to GS.

Comment #27

viceroy2 — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 09:06:22 GMT

@ Artist77,

Thank you for responding.

I'm glad to hear the reassurances.

I WANT TO BELIEVE There is no conspiracy... I really do.

But I'm also getting information from other sources, that make me take pause, hence,

me asking the questions.

Thank you again.

Comment #26

goldfish777 — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 01:42:02 GMT

Wow that sounds good. Would you happen to know a U.S based investment alternative

Comment #25

Artist77 — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 23:24:00 GMT

PS A brokerage account with a large entity like Goldman Sachs. They also deal with billion dollar or more accounts and I would not worry about my confidentiality with them since they would have too much to lose.

Comment #24

Artist77 — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 22:45:27 GMT

Viceroy2,

Good guestions. I assume any state lottery in an anonymous state would still have to verify the identity of the winner. So there is no urgent need to try a trust, llc as with a non anonymous state.

But I personally would still ask for the money to be transferred into your trust or llc to create an extra level of protection. You do not want your bank to suddenly see $100 million in your account since someone will figure it out and branch banks have a lot of busybodies. Maybe put... [ More ]

Comment #23

viceroy2 — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 12:06:51 GMT

@ Artist77,

What would exactly be the claiming procedure in a US Anonymous State, for example, SC or GA, should one hit the big one, especially, if, one were to approach their State's Lottery HQ through a Lawyer representing a Trust, PMA, or LLC?

In light of these events with Allwyn, and, seeing responses after this article, and, also taking into account outside factors, such as, current political climate in the UK, THERE, and perhaps reaching its way HERE because of OURS, it brings al... [ More ]

Comment #22

dannyct — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 05:34:24 GMT

Amelia and Tony Barnham should invest their 60 a week in Premium Bonds, which are issued by the UK Treasury. Instead of earning interest, the interest is allocated by prizes in a monthly draw. The Premium Bonds are entered into the monthly draw and the holder can cash-in the Bonds at any time.

Comment #21

PrisonerSix — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 18:32:11 GMT

Most of my tickets are bought at one of two place, one near my home and one near work, but I also buy at other places as well depending on where I am.

On draw tickets it's easy to find where a winner is sold but not so on scratchers until after they are redeemed. I'll have to make a point to remember where I get my scratchers from now on.

Comment #20

PrisonerSix — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 18:12:36 GMT

I agree with you there. In my area, we've had problems with the mail including mail box keys being stolen, letters cut open to extract gift cards, in my neighborhood, I've had bills and other items go missing more than once.

If I had to mail a claim, I'd probably use FedEx or another service and avoid USPS.

Comment #19

PrisonerSix — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 17:58:01 GMT

That is interesting. When my wife won $2,600 on a Pick 4, she went to the local lottery office, which is also Lottery Headquarters in my state. They had her do paperwork and show ID and that was it.

They cut her a check, gave her a W2G, and she was on her way. I bought the ticket for her and had to do some digging to figure out where I bought it and they didn't even ask!

I haven't won big on a scratcher yet so I don't know what they do with those. I hope to find out one day.... [ More ]

Comment #18

Bleudog101 — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 11:46:51 GMT

Just looked up that NJ guy (again) who dropped a $46 million Big Game (predecessor to Mega Millions) ticket in the mail. He waited almost a year to mail it too. Luckily for him it arrived, miraculously in time.

Comment #17

mjwinsmith — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 11:46:10 GMT

Ditto

Comment #16

dannyct — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 11:10:51 GMT

In the year to March 31 2023, the UK National Lottery had more than 10.7 million active registered online players, with one in five UK adults playing online over the period.

Comment #15

dannyct — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 11:00:55 GMT

If Amelia Barnham won large jackpots, I could understand the National Lottery carrying out checks to ensure everything was above board.

But as Amelia won 23,600 (US$30,206) in small prizes over time. It seems like an overreaction.

Comment #14

Wavepack — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 03:23:38 GMT

$4000/yr on State lotteries! Take that and instead invest in bitcoin in a Roth IRA account for the last 10 years. The amount in the retirement account would be greater than almost all jackpots. And taxes on gains would already be accounted for, so no tax bite of 40% to 50% like with a State lotto jackpot win.

Comment #13

JustMaybe — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:08:42 GMT

That is comforting to hear.

I am also a very random type of player, I don't pledge allegiance to one store.

I buy my tickets in random places as I go about my errands. Sometimes I see this wine and spirits retailer and I walk in and buy a ticket.

It maybe hard to remember all the places.

Another example is when am on road trips, when I stop for gas I get a ticket or two. If I won and they asked me the name of the store, I would have a hard time lol

Comment #12

JustMaybe — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:03:21 GMT

That would be awesome - but not all states have online play platforms.

Comment #11

JustMaybe — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 23:51:19 GMT

I do that all the time, just out of an abundance of caution.

Comment #10

JustMaybe — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 23:49:20 GMT

I would never send my ticket via mail - unless it's $600.

I would also use insured mail.

Comment #9

dannyct — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 23:45:25 GMT

The best option is to play online. You can't lose or forget to check your tickets. All small prizes are automatically credited to your online account.

Comment #8

JustMaybe — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 23:43:48 GMT

The receipt can help you when another person claims to be the owner of ticket, like the case with the California Powerball winner.

Yes the onus is on them, but you could make less work of it if you have more proof.

My thoughts thou.

Comment #7

mightwin1 — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 23:27:46 GMT

I would be worried having to send in all claims/tickets by mail. What if it gets lost?How long of a delay would it be then

Comment #6

Artist77 — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 22:19:31 GMT

I am also bothered by the invasion of privacy in their own home. This went way beyond due diligence procedures verifying a win. The couple should have been asked to bring ID with their address to a lottery office. If a photo needed to be taken, it should have been on lottery property. This is not a criminal investigation by law enforcement.

This all seems harassment based.

Comment #5

flygowrl — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 21:56:40 GMT

The nice thing about US lottery is that each state lottery office employs a security personnel; they are former police detective who only purpose is to investigate big wins. Case and point, when my lottery pool won $4000 on a scratcher, they asked us about the purchase and time of day when we claimed it. They already knew pertinent details they were just verifying it was us.

Comment #4

flygowrl — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 21:48:23 GMT

That's dumb, if they're going to launch a investigation they should check the cameras first! I play with lottery pools and we've won small prizes here and there across state lines [traveling nurse] over time. The fact that they are launching a investigation without a strong burden of proof hurt chance of folks playing the games. Like how do I know I'll get money if they investigate on a Hunch I'm winning too much.

Comment #3

Artist77 — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 19:27:30 GMT

The ticket is a bearer instrument. If the lottery claims you did not purchase it, the burden of proof shifts to them, not you. Let them produce that evidence first before supplying anything additional.

A receipt will not help much if your name is not on it.

With all the cctv cameras in the UK, the lottery should have checked the cameras first before opening an investigation.

Comment #2

Todd — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 19:03:52 GMT

Hmm, that sounds like good advice to me.

Comment #1

JustMaybe — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 18:29:43 GMT

I went to the store yesterday to buy my tickets for today's PB and tomorrow's MM.

I bought a ticket each plus the extra one dollar for $6 total.

I asked the cashier for a receipt. I told her I always want to have proof that I bought the tickets just in case your cameras ain't working. The time stamp on the receipt will be within the time frame as the one on the lottery tickets.

That way should I win we won't go down the path of proving am the rightful winner - I have the tickets and... [ More ]

Accusations of "disturbing" new claims procedures after Allwyn sends investigator to winner's home

Lottery Post — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 17:53:15 GMT

Former lottery fan says she'll never play again after being treated like a criminal

By Kate Northrop

A devoted UK lottery player says she will no longer be forking out cash for lottery tickets after Allwyn launched a disturbing investigation into her identity.

A lottery winner says she was treated like a criminal in her own home after the UK National Lottery sent an investigator to her house to take photos of her and she has still not received her prize.

Since Allwyn took over a... [ More ]