Strategy for remaining anonymous

Reply #52

zephbe — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 11:29:45 GMT

Reply #51

zephbe — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 11:18:12 GMT

All jackpot winners were just regular folk for the most part. Most of them managed to get lawyers and financial advisors for the legal stuff. They didn't get paranoid and go into hiding because they won. If the idea of winning is so stressful, don't play. No one forces anyone to buy a lottery ticket. 99% of those whining about winning, won't.

Good luck to those who can handle sudden wealth and hope to win.

Reply #50

Rexer90 — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 06:22:00 GMT

Show up wearing a waldorf/stadler muppet mask tyvek suit over your clothes. Claim prize, give press conference telling everyone to eff off, discard disguise, hit the airport disappear for 6 months.

Reply #49

Shelby Mustang — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 19:32:06 GMT

I know I'm not jumping through hoops trying to remain anonymous. If you didn't know me, call me, or talk to me before I won don't bother trying to after I've won. That will be my statement to the public at my press conference

Reply #48

mikeintexas — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 16:09:33 GMT

Reality is a concept of which you are not familiar.

Reply #47

pickone4me — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 14:29:14 GMT

Saying these things while not being a jackpot winner is why I can't take you seriously, when you actually win a large jackpot let us know how it really is ( document it like a reality TV show to prove it ), especially mikeintexas of the hard reality.

Reply #46

John99 — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 10:22:02 GMT

I don't have any input on the legal aspects of the original plan... But, The only thing that stands out to me in the original post is be really careful who you would trust with your money... It just sounds like that plan would require more trust than I'm personally willing to allow someone to use with something that I had won or whatever...

Reply #45

eddessaknight — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 06:34:59 GMT

AMEN TO THAT GYM RICE et al-

Just pay the man the $2.00, as most pro gamblers know in Vegas stock market players on the street; you have to owe up when making that kind of money!

It cost to be free-

No Worries

Fortes Fortuna Harmonia Juvat

Eddessa_Knight with Light

Reply #44

Elliptic7 — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 23:47:12 GMT

Correct eventually but still wearing a Halloween costume when claiming

Reply #43

mikeintexas — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 21:08:39 GMT

Oh no, zephbe...ya GOTTA get the fake tats and nose ring, dontcha know? I won't be able to afford a toupee before the funds hit my bank account, so I'll just wear a dead cat on my head. After all, I don't want the attention, right?

Your fact-based reality is too much for some of these people to handle. Stop making sense

Reply #42

zephbe — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 19:37:21 GMT

The things people worry about are amazing. If you don't live in an anonymous state and win a huge jackpot--move 5 hours any direction from where you are now. Other people have won and are enjoying the win without all the hoopla. Google happy lottery winners.

Good luck.

Reply #41

pickone4me — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 17:51:49 GMT

Even if the lottery winner is not associated with dishonest people bad things can happen. Considering the open borders how the economy is going the bad people are going to take special interest. The best way to stay anonymous is not to play if you are not in a state where you can claim the ticket anonymously.

Reply #40

destinycreation — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 17:40:06 GMT

HILARIOUS !!!!

Can you legally request a new SSN# [and start all over with a new Identity], when you legally change your name

Reply #39

HoLeeKau — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 16:47:00 GMT

I'm thinking a temporary name change would be the way to go, IF the lottery will release only your new name. I'm wondering if they might release an AKA if it's been changed in the last 6 months? It would be easy for them to know this, because they check your SSN to see if you owe child support, and previous names would come up at that time IIRC.

It would be great if the lottery would play along, but then you'd have to be in limbo for several months until you get your name changed back, becaus... [ More ]

Reply #38

lincolnAbe — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 16:30:00 GMT

This is one way to attempt anonymity. Do this with utmost secrecy. It's a long process but don't be lazy.

1. Resign from your job immediately. No matter how much you love your job, you will find happiness elsewhere with your millions.

2. Legally change your name (plus wife/husband) via a court process in a faraway state. If you live in FL, have the name change in Alaska. Pick a common name like Mary Smith. If you are a dude, pick a girl s name and vice versa. The murkier the better.... [ More ]

Reply #37

TinkerMazell — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 11:44:26 GMT

Sounds like a lot of trouble to go through just to avoid taxes. I would just go ahead and pay the taxes since I HAVE THE MONEY TO DO SO NOW....

Reply #36

helpmewin — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 08:50:15 GMT

Interesting thanks for the info.

Reply #35

helpmewin — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 08:45:53 GMT

the fake winners the lottery already has that one covered

Reply #34

jacintasc — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 19:41:04 GMT

The absolute 100% way to remain anonymous is to never claim the prize.

Reply #33

helpmewin — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 08:39:06 GMT

starting to sound more like some kind of being in a witness protection

Reply #32

tnlottodreamer — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 04:20:09 GMT

Chances are you will never win so you will not need to worry about it. That's the last thing I would worry about. I say catch me if you can cause there's no telling where I will be.

Reply #31

GYM RICE — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 03:08:58 GMT

Guys it's just money. There's no need to live in fear if you win a lot of money. Sure there are snip s out there that might try to come at you one way or another. You'll have a legal team in place to handle the non physical stuff. And if you're smart, you'll move your residence where other people with money live. Usually means a gated community or a place with a lot of land. Your biggest concern will be trying to not get ripped off by lawyers and financial firms...Now go hit a massive jackpot an... [ More ]

Reply #30

PrisonerSix — Sat, 09 Jul 2016 22:22:00 GMT

For those interested in the book, I've found an older version at Archive right here:

https://archive.org/details/How_To_Be_Invisible_-The_Essential_Guide_to_Protecting_Your_Personal_Privacy_You

If you want to know what you're getting into before buying the book, read this version first. Some of the information is still good and some isn't, but the overall theme is the same. More recent editions have been updated to reflect changes in law and technology. The author also has a website... [ More ]

Reply #29

PrisonerSix — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 01:53:15 GMT

Good suggestions, but I can add to it a little.

Find out about titling assets, such as property, vehicles, etc., in the names of trusts or LLCs, making it harder to find out who the real owner is. The book I recommended has info about that.

Don't have your mail sent to your home, use a PO Box or a private mail center like the UPS store, or better yet use both. That way, nobody, not even your mail carrier or the UPS guy, will know where you live or who you really are. As for the phone... [ More ]

Reply #28

Romancandle — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 23:42:25 GMT

Excellent discussion

Reply #27

TheMeatman2005 — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 23:13:32 GMT

Another way to remain anonymous...kinda, is to

move (without letting anyone [other than close family] know where you are moving to) notify payees (credit card companies) of your change of address directly. But, of course, when you win, you will pay them all off and owe nothing. Don't file a change of address with the USPS. change your phone number to an unlisted number (even if it does cost a few bucks more) keep a low profile for a few years.

Reply #26

HoLeeKau — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 23:10:10 GMT

Thanks PS, I just put that on hold at the library. Should be interesting

Reply #25

PrisonerSix — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 23:00:29 GMT

Some people use trusts to claim lottery prizes anonymously, while others have used corporations or LLCs. No method is completely anonymous, but these methods to make the winner a little hard to find.

There's a book called How to be Invisible by J.J. Luna. The book is written in a somewhat paranoid tone, but it gives interesting information on how one can be tracked down and ways it can be made harder to be tracked down. There's no way to be 100% anonymous, but it can be made harder to be t... [ More ]

Reply #24

grwurston — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 22:05:32 GMT

C'mon, you don't like cute smiling spiders? They do bring Good Luck ya know.

Besides, I'm more of a dog guy.

Reply #23

LiveInGreenBay — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 21:58:24 GMT

You're still ugly. Couldn't find a photo of a cute kitten

Reply #22

grwurston — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 21:50:03 GMT

Are lottery prizes taxable?

Lottery winnings of $600.01 and over are subject to Federal Withholding tax. For winnings of $600.01, up to and including $5,000, you will be issued a W-2G form to report your winnings on your federal income tax form. For winnings of $5,000.01 and over, your state's Department of Revenue removes the 25 percent federal withholding before you receive your winnings check (or, if it is an annuity, from each winnings check). You then receive a W-2G form with each check... [ More ]

Reply #21

TheMeatman2005 — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 20:48:26 GMT

Do you always consult with your local Wawa? Is this a reliable source

Reply #20

lejardin — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 19:25:20 GMT

Oh my goodness, how true! I have NO doubt this would and could happen. After reading all theses secarios, I think end result is suck it up, claim yourself but have your attorney, cpa or financial advisor claim it on your behalf to avoid all the initial publicity.

Reply #19

james4412 — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 19:18:54 GMT

Thanks for the lengthy reply. Good information.

Reply #18

LiveInGreenBay — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 19:07:29 GMT

All I can say is... If you win the lottery and you're married, stay married. If you're single, don't get married.

Reply #17

realtorjim — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 18:58:08 GMT

Yes, many people can't keep their mouths shut, or can't resist blowing a bunch of money right away, or don't know how to set boundaries on what others know about their finances.

Geesh guys, what do you mean did I win the lottery ? Is it a crime to buy a new car once in a while? I just happen to like Lamborghini's. I mean really, just a second, 'waitress, can we get another bottle of Dom Perignon over here'. So, has anyone invested in that new tech firm? I just put a $1 million into it...... [ More ]

Reply #16

wander73 — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 18:53:03 GMT

According to someone I spoke to at a wawa here in Philly, there was a winner in Florida and for some reason the news media found out about this person through you guessed it facebook. I deactivated mine and not on linkedin.

I will also mention that some girls I know want breast implants, booty big one etc. Well I hate to say this I would have the person marry me and have them sign something.

I def agree people need to keep their mouths shut absolutely.

It also sickens m... [ More ]

Reply #15

HoLeeKau — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 18:49:28 GMT

Yes, many people can't keep their mouths shut, or can't resist blowing a bunch of money right away, or don't know how to set boundaries on what others know about their finances.

But some of us can and do keep a win private. And once you figure out how to keep the lottery from releasing your name, it's not that hard. You just have to keep your mouth shut, and control your spending for a short time. I'm willing to make some sacrifices for a year or two in order to reap the benefits of living pe... [ More ]

Reply #14

wander73 — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 18:48:35 GMT

I wish my dad was alive to see this. However he wouldn't really have a decent answer. What he would say is it depends what state the lottery winner is in.

I did agree with him on this. On this site someone mentioned about a past lottery winner and how does anyone know even if it was someone getting the annuity about what the person spends or does with it?

First thing is first you need three people. The accountant, lawyer and financial planner. Then plan accordingly.

Reply #13

realtorjim — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 18:42:09 GMT

Hmmm... Let's try this scenario;

James: Hello Mr. Lawfirm. I have just won the half billion dollar Mega Millions Lottery. I would like to stay completely anonymous so I have this proposal. I would like to sell your firm the ticket for less than face value of the cash amount. You claim the prize and pay me my share.

Mr. Lawfirm: Wonderful idea James. I'll have the paperwork drawn up immediately. Let's go to lunch!

Mr. Lawfirm: Here are the documents, James. You sign over the ticket... [ More ]

Reply #12

TheMeatman2005 — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 17:46:22 GMT

The real problem could be because the claimant isn't the person who bought the ticket. Forget what you think you know about bearer instruments. The ticket has a legal owner and the lottery isn't going to knowingly give the prize to somebody else simply because they're the one who walks through the door with the ticket. Unlike somebody who finds or steals the ticket the company representative will be able to answer all of the security questions, but they won't be the person on the security video.... [ More ]

Reply #11

helpmewin — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 17:38:41 GMT

Because of the Lottery curse.

Reply #10

helpmewin — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 17:28:14 GMT

this is why everyone is trying to win to be Rich and Famous don't let them fool you.

Reply #9

JAP69 — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 17:28:07 GMT

Don't win.

Reply #8

KY Floyd — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 17:25:59 GMT

First the easy stuff that doesn't have much wiggle room. You're proposing a simple and straightforward financial transaction: sell your financial instrument to somebody else. You'll have an acquisition cost, a selling price, and a gross income from the profit that doesn't qualify for capital gains treatment. In that respect the tax issues are essentially the same as they'd be if you claimed the prize yourself. It will also be the same for the buyer as any other financial transaction: they'll buy... [ More ]

Reply #7

LiveInGreenBay — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 16:10:46 GMT

No matter what you do...Eventually your family members, friends, banker and the media will know you won. In the past, when bad things happened to lottery winners, it was usually the result of the dishonest people the lottery winner associated with. Personally, I wouldn't mind the attention. Rich and famous wouldn't bother me a bit.

Reply #6

Think — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 15:57:00 GMT

I don't see how you could do this without invoking the gift tax or paying income tax yourself.

I don't know what the current gift tax is but it is a lot.

You would either get about 195,000,000 * .5465 = 106,567,000 less whatever lawyer fees you paid or you would get 195,000,000 less the gift tax adjusted amount less lawyer fees which would be way less than the $195 million.

Unless the lawyers can circumnavigate the gift tax you would probably have to pay the taxes on the $195m... [ More ]

Reply #5

destinycreation — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 15:53:37 GMT

I noticed you are from South Carolina in your profile [Anonymity], but you are using North Carolina as an example [Non-anonymity]. Where do you currently live and play the lottery at ???

Your tax strategy reasoning seems very complicated, and might not turn out the way you think it should.

If you live and play in South Carolina, then you don't have anything to worry about, as far as legal anonymity is concerned.

You cannot trust how law firms will handle your money, b/c lawyers are in... [ More ]

Reply #4

james4412 — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 15:48:16 GMT

My contract is between myself and the Law Firm, not with the lottery. From the lottery's perspective the person walking in the door (a partner) is the owner. They would pay them the full amount due.

Also, I believe state taxes are due in the state you reside, not the state the ticket is purchased in. (except if won in Maryland or Arizona

Reply #3

james4412 — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 15:39:38 GMT

Yes, they would claim it in NC, where I purchase the ticket. Again, an individual (law firm partner) would be claiming the ticket. My understanding is that you pay tax in the state you LIVE in, not where the ticket is purchased. Only 2 states (AZ and MD) have enacted laws that will collect tax for non-residents. So, only Federal and NC taxes would be due.

Once the numbers have been drawn, the physical paper ticket is worth a HUGE amount of money. That's because it's a bearer instrument. If th... [ More ]

Reply #2

Kingofearth — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 15:00:12 GMT

If you give them or sell them the ticket to claim, then you lose all rights to the money. If you put it in a contract, then they would need to disclose it and the lottery would know who was the real winner and this will show you as the winner. Some states allow loopholes, others don't. Contact a trusts and estates attorney in your state and talk about strategies to maintain as much anonymity as you can for as long as you can. Or you can just go to South Carolina and buy a ticket there and not ha... [ More ]

Reply #1

HoLeeKau — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 14:58:53 GMT

I think the tax laws might get ya. You can only claim a ticket in the state that it was purchased, so the only way the law firm could claim in NC or TX is if the ticket was purchased there. If someone in NC redeems a ticket purchased in, say, Georgia, then Georgia takes their taxes as far as I know. Someone correct me if this is wrong.

Plus, the law firm would pay federal taxes on the prize no matter where it was bought or redeemed. Then when it's transferred to your trust, my guess is you wo... [ More ]

Strategy for remaining anonymous

james4412 — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 14:40:53 GMT

If you don't live in a state that allows anonymity, or you don't trust that you will continue to remain anonymous (i.e., FOIA request), I propose the following strategy. Please shoot holes in this plan and let me know what I'm forgetting.

For Friday's MM drawing I figure that if I wanted to claim the ticket PUBLICLY (I don't), by the time tax time comes NEXT YEAR, I would expect to have about $195,000,000.00. I arrived at this using the following math.

Lump Sum Gross: $357,700,000.00

N... [ More ]