Oklahoma Lottery Commission Warns Of Scam Affecting Facebook Users

The Oklahoma Lottery Commission is warning Oklahomans of a new scam affecting Facebook users nationwide.

There is a post circulating on Facebook that allows users to click on a link, which takes them to a website claiming that Powerball is giving away a $1 million jackpot instantly. The website address includes various misspellings of Powerball, including “Powerbooll” and “Pawerball,” according to officials.

Officials said there is also a letter circulating with a fraudulent offer from the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), offering prizes of $2.5 million for a raffle promotion. The letter also mentions Powerball, Mega Millions, Publisher’s Clearing House and Reader’s Digest as contributors. One of the telephone numbers listed on the letter is (778)-710-0974.

“The information in the letters and Facebook posts is fraudulent and not associated with any officially recognized lottery,” said Rollo Redburn, Executive Director.  “No legitimate lottery organization will ask for up-front payment(s) in order to claim a prize.” Redburn also pointed out a couple more things to remember: “When you play a lottery game, lottery employees don’t know the identity of winners until they come forward to claim their prize; and, if you didn’t buy a lottery ticket or personally enter a drawing, you won’t be winning a lottery prize so don’t respond to someone calling and asking for your personal information.”

The Oklahoma Lottery security department urges anyone who receives a communication that could be a potential scam to contact the Attorney General’s Office (405-521-3921) or the Federal Trade Commission (877-382-4357). If anyone receives messages similar to the above, they can call the lottery to verify the source at (405)-522-7700.

Prizes exceeding $600 can be claimed at the Oklahoma Lottery Headquarters, any Authorized Lottery Claim Center or by mail. Prizes of $5,001 or more must be claimed through Lottery Headquarters in Oklahoma City, officials said.