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FLORIDA - A disturbing rise in scam calls tricking Florida residents into believing they have won lottery prizes has prompted urgent warnings from state officials.
The Florida Lottery is sounding a stern alarm after receiving numerous reports of fraudsters posing as legitimate lottery representatives who allegedly tell recipients they have won substantial prizes, then demand payment for bogus tax fees or collect sensitive personal data.
Secretary John F. Davis emphasized that the Lottery will never notify winners through phone calls, social media, or text messages, nor will it ever demand a payment to claim a prize.
In response to this surge in deceptive tactics, the Lottery urges players to hang up immediately, refuse to share personal or financial information, and report any suspicious outreach.
Residents are advised to contact the Florida Lottery Division of Security at 850-487-7730 or the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at 1-800-HELP-FLA.
Legitimate winnings can only be claimed by submitting a real ticket either in person at an authorized Lottery office or by mail.
These alarming calls match the pattern of advance-fee fraud schemes in which scammers promise impossible prizes then vanish once payment is made.
Florida’s Division of Security is actively collaborating with local law enforcement to investigate these scam operations and apprehend those responsible.
The public is urged to remain vigilant when receiving unsolicited prize notifications.
If there is a hint of doubt, hang up and report the incident so authorities can pursue these fraudsters.