Portland, Oregon – Following the recent $1.3 billion Powerball win in Portland this April, the Oregon Lottery is urging the public to be cautious of scams and phishing attempts associated with lottery jackpots. The announcement comes after reports of a fraudulent text message promising donations from the Powerball winner to 10 randomly selected citizens.
The Oregon Lottery’s alert serves as an important reminder to the public to remain vigilant against scams, particularly in the wake of high-profile lottery wins. By recognizing the signs of phishing attempts and knowing how to report them, individuals can protect themselves from falling victim to fraud.
Warning Signs of Scams
The fraudulent message circulating over the weekend asked recipients to call a phone number to claim their supposed winnings. “Some common warning signs of phishing scams include receiving an unsolicited message with a sense of urgency or a request for personal information,” said Oregon Lottery Assistant Director of Security Justin Hedlund. He further cautioned, “We expect there may be other scams out there trying to leverage the Powerball winner’s story, and it’s a red flag if something seems too good to be true.”
Related article: Portland family and friend win fourth largest Powerball jackpot in history
Official Guidance from Oregon Lottery
The Oregon Lottery emphasizes that it will never ask individuals to pay a fee to access their winnings. If you believe you have been targeted by a scam, you can report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at https://www.ic3.gov/. Additionally, if you receive a suspicious text message, forward it to SPAM (7726) and report the phishing attempt to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Oregon Lottery’s Impact and Further Information
Since beginning ticket sales on April 25, 1985, the Oregon Lottery has generated nearly $15.5 billion for economic development, public education, outdoor schools, state parks, veteran services, and watershed enhancements. For more information about the Oregon Lottery and its initiatives, visit www.oregonlottery.org.
