Identity Withheld Identity Revealed

Reply #24

KY Floyd — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 07:12:08 GMT

You've missed the point

I'd say you've missed the point.

Do you really think it's difficult for someone who's interested in finding you to actually do so?

Yes, if you don't want to be found. What would you do if you won? Go to the press conference looking exactly as you've looked for the last 5 years? Get a landline and put your name in the phone book, and then put your name on your mailbox with 3 letters? Just as an exercise you might try googling some of the people you know. Normal... [ More ]

Reply #23

DC81 — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 06:09:13 GMT

I personally don't spend any time doing that but there are A LOT of people who do, obviously you likely won't be looking for a job but many employers do it as part of a background check now, never underestimate the curiosity and flat out nosiness of people. You've missed the point, tell me if YOU had the option of anonymity would you or would you not take it? Oh sure, just because your name and that photo of you with the big dumb smile on your face holding a novelty check is going to going to be... [ More ]

Reply #22

KY Floyd — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 05:19:03 GMT

Yeah until someone does a search on their search engine of choice and finds your name and the press release

First, how much time do you spend doing searches on neighbors and strangers? Even so, if finding your name and a press release allows people to find *you* you're almost certainly the type of moron who wouldn't have been any better off if you'd been allowed to remain anonymous. Who are the first people we think of when we look for lottery winners who turned out to be major losers? Jack... [ More ]

Reply #21

DC81 — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 03:12:59 GMT

Yeah until someone does a search on their search engine of choice and finds your name and the press release and then the gossip starts or the cons show up and you get sacks of mail from people writing letters. It's not about the average, apathetic person.

It only takes one person opening their mouth for gossip to snowball into something bigger. Again, it's not the majority that's the problem.

Reply #20

lungfish — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:31:16 GMT

What I think many people have a tendency to forget is that the MAJORITY of people, meaning people who don't follow the lottery and people who don't post on sites like this, wouldn't really know what the winner looks like, or care. And even if they read the paper and watch the winner on the 11 o'clock news, they eventually forget about them. If someone wins and they decide to move to London, England, they could live in absolute anonymity since practically no one over there would know who they are... [ More ]

Reply #19

Texas Joey — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 05:58:40 GMT

I think everyone is entitled to privacy if they want it. No one should be forced to identify themselve to outsiders. My Lawyer is my best friend in that situation. He is my voice and ears for any questions about my wins. Bad things happen to those who don't take precautions with mouth about winnings. Look at that Man in Kentucky who carried a brief case in his care worth 10,000 dollars and left in an unlocked vehicle. Some folks just never learn.

Lots of Luck and Happiness

Joey

Reply #18

Coin Toss — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 04:21:13 GMT

What if you've already signed the ticket

Reply #17

djklaugh — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 03:07:05 GMT

I suppose if you live in a state where identity disclosure is required by state law, you could always file for a name change prior to collecting a big lottery win .... then change it back a few months later .... just call me FriendofLP14648

Reply #16

justxploring — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 06:21:28 GMT

Yes, you have a right to know who I am, because those are the rules. Period.

No, I really wouldn't want anyone to know, but since I choose to play in a state where I won't have anonymity should I win ANY amount (not just a jackpot) I guess there's nothing I can do about it.

The bottom line is that it's a game and it's voluntary. If someone doesn't like the rules, then he/she doesn't have to play.

Reply #15

mrtightwad — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 19:10:25 GMT

I posted here before, read some of the horror stories. I'm going to find out if my state allows you to be anonymous if you win the lotto. It really should be a choice. If I won and everyone knew, it would be trouble because I know who would come to me for a handout. If you have relatives who are spendthrifts you know what im talking about. I really believe that when you play the lotto you must have a written out plan of what you will do with the winnings and how you will take care of yourself fi... [ More ]

Reply #14

Matchmaker — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 18:08:54 GMT

Perdue, I made a very similar post to yours in Money Matters 101. Becoming a jackpot winner of any magnitude presents a plethora of problems which are all danger related. People are looking for the opportunity to get something for nothing all the time...aka THIEVES!! Look at the piracy situation which was and is still at hand.

Once you're made public you actually become a target for even a low level thief and especially kidnappers. The real problem here is that jackpot winners don't know how... [ More ]

Reply #13

joker17 — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:01:57 GMT

I disagree. They are seen by hundreds of folks evryday. They flaunt their riches with the cars they drive and yachts they sail. If anyone wanted to threaten them for their money they would just follow them around till they figured a plan to rob them or ask the handouts.

The media coverage is shortlived for winners. After a week or so, most people go about living their lives forgetting the whole thing until the next winner. The fringes of society that may be dangerous would exist in both winne... [ More ]

Reply #12

ThatScaryChick — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:13:26 GMT

I agree. I think, that some people believe, that those who win the lottery, didn't really earn their money, so they have an obligation to share. I have no idea why some people think this way, but they do. So, they have no problem asking for handouts. I doubt, many of those same people, would go up to a person who accumulated their money through working, stock market, etc. and ask for some of their money.

Reply #11

DC81 — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 21:33:58 GMT

And most of those millionaires don't have a fraction of the media attention a lottery winner gets. There's a very different mentality when it comes to lottery winners.

Reply #10

Littleoldlady — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 15:55:15 GMT

No..no one has a right to know..safety first.

Reply #9

joker17 — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 15:49:18 GMT

About 2 percent of the population of this country are millionaires. Their presence is known and they live happily.

Reply #8

Coin Toss — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 14:23:41 GMT

BobP,

Guess the Aussies are trusting enough, so why not us?

I'm liking the idea of a Jackpot Winners Protection Program more and more.

Think about it.

Reply #7

Litebets27 — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 13:49:04 GMT

Maryland allows you to claim your prize anonymously. But, I was told by someone, whose relative had won a jackpot, when they went to claim their prize he or she was escorted into a room and then several advisers and accountants and lawyer, whom the the winner did not request or know about, were allowed to enter the room to discuss what to do with his or her winnings. This was a surprise to the winner who, reportly, became very angery.

I'm hoping, if this truly happened, that MSLA would, 1. ha... [ More ]

Reply #6

McDude — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 12:55:38 GMT

There are actually companies throughout the world that do nothing other than negotiate and pay ransom demands from groups who kidnap the children and other relatives of foreign workers. It's a pretty well-known business. The groups never harm their captives, its a purely business transaction. Ask yourself whether you want the world to know you are a multi-millionaire, how many kids you have, where you live, etc.

Reply #5

iGlenn — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 12:16:07 GMT

Exactly... According to news reports the winner from NY came forward and was allowed to claim the prize anonymously. However, I was unable to locate a press release on the NYS lottery website confirming this. Are the news reports wrong?

However, if I lived in the neighborhood where the ticket was bought I'd really want to remain anonymous too. It's not the safest neighborhood and I'd be concerned about the safety of my family and friends that live around there.

Reply #4

BobP — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 06:03:30 GMT

Are we trusting enough to believe the lottery actually gave out the jackpot without the press release with pictures of who they gave it to ? Otherwise each week a different lottery employee could be the winner, how would we know ?

I recall a couple of online lottery games that claimed an annonymous winner in a war zone.

BobP

Reply #3

LANTERN — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 02:30:11 GMT

If people were not crazy, I would say Yes, but as things are, I say NO.

Reply #2

Coin Toss — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 23:47:01 GMT

1. No

2. No

3. No

4. Not at all happy

5. No

The Australian Lottery really should be the model for all U.S. lotteries.

There have been posts here on LP from members in Australia that winning are tax free- the price of a ticket is $1.03 AUSD, the .03 pays the taxes, and most everybody claims anonymopusly.

Reply #1

iGlenn — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 23:34:54 GMT

I'm fortunate enough to live close to a state that allows anonymity (thats where I buy my tickets). I just simply wouldn't play if I couldn't remain anonymous. Part of my lottery dream is having the freedom to live my life how I want to live it. I'm a recluse and have no desire for attention. Part of my dream would be shattered if my identity was revealed after winning.

In other words, don't play if you can't play by the rules. If you don't like the rules then maybe you should encourage your... [ More ]

Identity Withheld Identity Revealed

PERDUE — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 22:38:48 GMT

Everytime a person wins a large jackpot this debate arises. Should the winner be identified or not. This seems to be a simple yes or no question for most but you have to look beyond revealing the winner's identity.

Ask yourself what are the consequences of revealing the identity of the jackpot winner?

I would like to ask few questions:

1. As a jackpot winner would you be willing to live with the fallout of having your identity revealed because of my right to know ?

2. Are you willing... [ More ]