Got a message saying you've won the Mega Millions jackpot, but you never bought a ticket? That's a red flag. Lottery scams are common, and they use big promises to get your money or your personal information. Here's how they work and how to protect yourself.
The golden rule: no ticket, no prize
You can't win a legitimate lottery if you didn't buy a ticket. The only way to win Mega Millions is to buy a ticket from a participating U.S. lottery and match the numbers drawn. No one wins because of their phone number or email address, and there are no random prizes for people who didn't play.
The names scammers use
Scammers often use the Mega Millions logo along with official-sounding names such as "United States National Lottery", "Mega Millions Mobile Lottery", "Mega Millions Corporation", "US UK Mega Millions Lottery" or "Mega Millions International Lottery".
None of them exists. There's no international version of Mega Millions and no Mega Millions sweepstakes: the game is sold only in the United States, and only by its participating lotteries.
Common scam tactics
- A call, email, text or letter saying you've won a big prize, often with official-looking documents.
- An upfront payment for "taxes", "processing fees" or "legal costs" before you can get your prize.
- A fake check: you receive a check for part of the prize and are asked to send money back to cover expenses. By the time the bank finds out the check is counterfeit, your money is gone.
- Fake "special drawings" or giveaways on social media, using the Mega Millions logo to sell entries or collect personal details.
- Requests for your bank details, Social Security number or passwords, supposedly to deposit your winnings.
Red flags to watch for
- You're told you've won, but you didn't buy a Mega Millions ticket.
- You're asked to pay money up front, in any form: wire transfer, gift cards, cryptocurrency or cash.
- You're pressured to act fast or to keep the "win" a secret.
- The call or message comes from a foreign area code or an unknown sender.
- The message is full of spelling and grammar mistakes.
- You're asked for sensitive personal or banking information.
What real lotteries do and don't do
- Lotteries don't call or email people out of the blue about prizes: for a paper ticket, they don't even know who bought it. If you play online, prize notices come through your official account.
- There's never a fee to claim a real prize. Taxes are withheld from the prize itself, not paid in advance.
- Prizes are claimed from the state lottery that sold the ticket, through its official claim process.
How to protect yourself
- Never send money or share personal information with someone who says you've won.
- If in doubt, contact your state lottery using the contact details on its official website, not the phone number or link in the message.
- Don't click links in unexpected messages, and check any promotion on the official website before you take part.
- Use caller ID and spam filters to block suspicious calls and messages.
- Don't post photos of your ticket online: the numbers and barcode are all someone needs to try to claim it.
- Buy tickets only from licensed retailers or your state lottery's official website or app.
If you've been targeted
Stop all contact and don't send anything else. If you've already paid or shared your bank details, call your bank straight away. Then report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or on 1-877-382-4357, and to your local police.
You can also let your state lottery know, especially if the scammers used its name. For the latest official warnings, see the Lottery Scams page on the official Mega Millions website.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an international Mega Millions lottery?
No. Mega Millions is sold only in the United States, by its participating lotteries. Any "international" Mega Millions lottery is a scam.
Can I be asked to pay taxes before getting my prize?
No. Real lotteries withhold taxes from the prize when they pay it. Anyone asking you to pay first is a scammer.
Someone on social media says they won and will share the money with me. Is it real?
No. It's a common scam. No real winner or lottery gives away money on social media in exchange for a fee, a purchase or your personal details.
Where do I report a lottery scam?
To the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or 1-877-382-4357, and to your local police. Your state lottery will also want to know.
Last reviewed: . Independent information: official results are published by the lottery that runs the game.