300 people didn't claim their 1million dollar lotto tickets in 2013!Prev Topic Next Topic

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nist7seven

KCMO
United States
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February 7, 2015
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Feb 9, 2015, 7:22 pm

On CNN money there is an article as below that shows lots of 1 million dollar winning tickets go unclaimed!!!

"About $2 billion in lottery prizes go unclaimed every year. Many of those tickets are worth between $1 and $5, but some folks never realize that they have a life-changing prize in their pocket.

There actually tend to be more unclaimed prizes associated with a massive drawing like this week's $450 million prize. That's because when people hear that they didn't hit the jackpot, they often neglect to check whether they won any smaller prizes, said Jacobson.

"People don't even realize there are secondary prizes," he said.

The $1 million prizes are paid immediately to the winners, minus the taxes.

But the huge jackpots like this week's $450 million prize are actually a mirage. To get that much, winners have to take payments over 30 years. However, winners rarely choose to do that. Instead, they take a smaller lump sum payment worth about one-third less than the advertised jackpot."

Make sure to check your tickets people. You wouldn't want to miss out on a 7 figure winning.

Sadly some people probably not very organized and the lotto ticket gets lost in their back pocket or underneath the couch...
Stack47

Kentucky
United States
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February 14, 2006
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Feb 9, 2015, 9:11 pm

Quote: Originally posted by nist7seven on Feb 9, 2015
On CNN money there is an article as below that shows lots of 1 million dollar winning tickets go unclaimed!!!

"About $2 billion in lottery prizes go unclaimed every year. Many of those tickets are worth between $1 and $5, but some folks never realize that they have a life-changing prize in their pocket.

There actually tend to be more unclaimed prizes associated with a massive drawing like this week's $450 million prize. That's because when people hear that they didn't hit the jackpot, they often neglect to check whether they won any smaller prizes, said Jacobson.

"People don't even realize there are secondary prizes," he said.

The $1 million prizes are paid immediately to the winners, minus the taxes.

But the huge jackpots like this week's $450 million prize are actually a mirage. To get that much, winners have to take payments over 30 years. However, winners rarely choose to do that. Instead, they take a smaller lump sum payment worth about one-third less than the advertised jackpot."

Make sure to check your tickets people. You wouldn't want to miss out on a 7 figure winning.

Sadly some people probably not very organized and the lotto ticket gets lost in their back pocket or underneath the couch...

Do you have facts that back up "$2 billion in unclaimed prizes" and "300 unclaimed prizes worth $1 million or more"?
nist7seven

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Feb 9, 2015, 11:16 pm

Yes. A guy filed public records to lotto officials to see how much money went unclaimed, and it was about 2 billion.

Jacobson filed public records requests with lottery commissions around the country to find out just how many prizes go unclaimed.

The total is astonishing: $2.04 billion went unclaimed in 2013 alone. Since each state runs its own lottery independently, the nationwide total had been a mystery until now. Lottery officials have estimated in the past that unclaimed prizes nationwide might approach $800 million annually."
WesternRedDoug

Left Coast
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January 28, 2012
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Feb 9, 2015, 11:41 pm

I don't remember the 300 number. That seems way high. That would be a significant chunk of $1M winners nationwide. It would have been a much bigger story.
Teddi

United States
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May 13, 2013
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Feb 10, 2015, 7:31 am

I saw the article. I don't know which is more surprising, that there were over 300 $1 million winners last year alone, or that so many never claimed it. It seems so improbable, and yet, if true, is a massive waste. That's $300 million!!! That's like the cash value of this current jackpot going unclaimed.
maringoman

Massachusetts
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April 14, 2006
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Feb 10, 2015, 8:02 am

"...More than 300 prizes worth $1 million or more went unclaimed in 2013..."

I don't buy that at all. I do know that plenty of people forget or delay to check or to cash-in small prizes but 300 prizes of over $1M? Brett Jacobson didn't provide any evidence to his outrageous claims.

That money's gone fo ever
uprrman

harvard,il
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September 4, 2010
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Feb 10, 2015, 9:33 am

Quote: Originally posted by maringoman on Feb 10, 2015
"...More than 300 prizes worth $1 million or more went unclaimed in 2013..."

I don't buy that at all. I do know that plenty of people forget or delay to check or to cash-in small prizes but 300 prizes of over $1M? Brett Jacobson didn't provide any evidence to his outrageous claims.

wow that would sure buy a lot of would it not hee hee

i want to be a millionaire a second time!
sweetie7398

100

South Carolina
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September 30, 2005
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Feb 10, 2015, 10:32 am

If you play, you need to check your tickets.

Be persistent😊
rcbbuckeye

100

Texas
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October 23, 2007
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Feb 10, 2015, 10:37 am

It wouldn't surprise me if most of those tics were scratchoffs instead of draw tics. Some people might not realize they have a winner.

CAN'T WIN IF YOU'RE NOT IN

A DOLLAR AND A DREAM (OR $2)
WesternRedDoug

Left Coast
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January 28, 2012
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Feb 10, 2015, 1:32 pm

Quote: Originally posted by uprrman on Feb 10, 2015
wow that would sure buy a lot of would it not hee hee

And not to be completely cynical about the source, but I also remember last fall there was a news story about the "largest" personal data breach in history... The story had legs for a few days until some people in the press realized the source of the story was a company that offered personal data security solutions. But the details of the data breach were fuzzy at best.

Nonetheless, take steps to protect your ID; check your purchased tickets.
moose59

United States
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January 25, 2015
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Feb 10, 2015, 10:38 pm

Well as I said before, I may have lost a $100,000 on a scratch off ticket. Thats right I'm not sure if it was or not but anyway i stupidly took it to a local store , and the clerk ripped it up for me! Wasn't that special!? You literally can't believe your eyes and think it's a typo or something! So that's what I did!
maringoman

Massachusetts
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Feb 11, 2015, 6:43 am

Quote: Originally posted by uprrman on Feb 10, 2015
wow that would sure buy a lot of would it not hee hee

Yessir and a lot of too

That money's gone fo ever
CARBOB

COLUMBUS,GA.
United States
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June 3, 2004
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Feb 11, 2015, 6:50 am

Quote: Originally posted by maringoman on Feb 10, 2015
"...More than 300 prizes worth $1 million or more went unclaimed in 2013..."

I don't buy that at all. I do know that plenty of people forget or delay to check or to cash-in small prizes but 300 prizes of over $1M? Brett Jacobson didn't provide any evidence to his outrageous claims.

I find it hard to believe, also. But, I watched some of the people who purchased Powerball tickets, yesterday. There was a senior citizen who asked the clerk, how could I purchase one? There is no way she understands,how the game is played, might be her first time.
schmuckatelly

Jacksonville, Florida
United States
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March 17, 2013
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Feb 11, 2015, 8:47 am

Validate your tickets and get your billions back, America!
dallascowboyfan

Oklahoma
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November 12, 2009
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Feb 11, 2015, 9:14 am

300 people wow that sure is a lot.

I Love Pink & Green 1908