California Lottery Warns of Scams Targeting Players

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California lottery officials are warning players to be on the lookout for scams after a rise in reports from both victims and law enforcement agencies. Authorities say fraudsters are increasingly posing as lottery officials or claiming to be connected to prize winners in an attempt to steal money or personal information.

Why it matters

These scams can have a significant financial impact on victims and undermine public trust in the integrity of the state's lottery system. The California Lottery is working with authorities to investigate complaints and protect players.

The details

Many scams start with an unexpected message that appears official, congratulating someone for supposedly winning a lottery prize. The message often claims the prize cannot be released until the recipient pays taxes, processing fees, or other costs. However, officials stress that legitimate lottery wins do not begin with a random phone call or text message, and winners are never asked to pay fees or taxes upfront before collecting a prize.

• In recent months, there has been a rise in reports of lottery scams from both victims and law enforcement agencies.

What’s next

The California Lottery Security and Law Enforcement Division is working alongside local and state authorities to investigate complaints of fraud and protect the integrity of the state's lottery system.