North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL)

NASPL ’08
Accounting, Audit, Security
and Information Technology Subcommittee Meeting

October 27 - 30, 2008

St. Louis Missouri
Hosted by the Missouri Lottery

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SCAM ALERT! NASPL or our member lotteries do not hold drawings or award lottery prizes in through the mail. Illegal scam artists claiming to be affiliated with NASPL, our members and many other organizations are circulating letters claiming to award lottery prizes or unclaimed prize money. Fraudulent cashiers checks are also being sent with these letters. Most of these are coming from Ontario, Canada. THESE ARE ILLEGAL SCAMS!

Do not send the criminals any money or personal information without first investigating the situation fully. Do not trust the phone numbers provided on the check, since these will go to an accomplice in the scam who will tell you the check is good. Look up the actual phone number of the bank or credit union online or through directory assistance and contact their security department directly to ask about the validity of the check. Report this to your local and state authorities.

UPDATE - The latest scam now circulating requires the winner to pay customs duties or taxes to have their prize sent across the Canadian border. The "winner" is eventually contacted by a person claiming to be a Canada customs agent, but they are IMPOSTERS. The phone number provided uses a voice mail message copied from the actual Customs Agency, but will immediately transfer you to the criminals.

Contact Us directly for agencies to report your scam to, or if you require additional information.

There is no legitimate reason why anyone would give you a check or money order and ask you to wire money anywhere in return. Find out more at: FakeChecks.org