Florida lottery kicks off campaign to protect customers from dishonest clerks

Jun 18, 2014, 4:50 pm (11 comments)

Florida Lottery

Players reminded to sign tickets immediately

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Lottery has launched a new campaign after some store owners were claiming big prizes time and time again despite the small odds.

The lottery has posted videos online and will soon display posters at retail locations urging players to sign their tickets.

They hope this will help prevent store employees from stealing their winning tickets.

When it comes to winning scratch-off lottery games, people who own or work at convenience stores in Florida top the list.

One example: Chriag Parmar, who claimed, along with his mother, 47 prizes of $1,000 or more in three years.

The lottery suspended and then terminated lottery privileges at his seven stores.

The lottery also began investigating Jamil Hamad after WFTS reported he won $1,000 or more on scratch-off games 38 times, even though he didn't want to reveal his secrets.

The lottery says nothing is wrong with its games.

"As a result of our obsession with integrity, we've been able to maintain a flawless track record since our blast off in 1988," a PSA posted by the Florida Lottery on YouTube proclaims.

But the lottery is now blaming some of its retailers for cheating customers.

Forty-nine locations have had privileges suspended or terminated for suspected ticket theft or improper payment issues.

The lottery is now distributing public service announcements, urging players to sign their tickets.

"The next time you play, sign every ticket immediately upon purchase. It's the surest way to guarantee you are the designated rightful owner," said Florida Lottery Secretary Cynthia O'Connell, in a video released Friday.

Repeat lottery winner Richard Lustig, who wrote a lottery book, says theft by retailers can be a serious problem when people try to cash in winning tickets.

"He'll turn around and say either 'No, it's not a winner,' or 'Yeah, it's a winner. You won $10,' when it was really a thousand dollar winning ticket," Lustig said.

The lottery hopes the new campaign will change that.

"Play it smart Florida. Sign every ticket, every time," O'Connell said.

Education materials are expected to soon arrive in stores, including new scratch-off tickets that will have printed reminders to sign them as soon as you buy them.

WPTV

Comments

OldSchoolHits

Saw a terminal today with a "Sign Your Ticket" sign as part of the campaign. Here's the thing--on the back of scratch offs in Florida there's no spot for a signature. In fact, they specifically say to "Please print". There's a space for your name (print) and address, along with phone number. I guess you could fill it all out, but saying specifically to sign it is a little misleading since there's no line for signature. And what if you decide to claim the prize under a Trust?

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

Florida lottery selling lottery tickets over the Internet?

Grovel's avatarGrovel

This is why I scan all of my tickets before I cash them in.

Pita Maha's avatarPita Maha

Quote: Originally posted by Grovel on Jun 18, 2014

This is why I scan all of my tickets before I cash them in.

Sounds like a good idea, especially for any substantial win. 

I always check the numbers online after the draw and if I win anything, I'll hand my ticket to the clerk saying "I checked online and it says I won $x".  Never had anyone dispute that but then it's never been for a large amount of money either.  If it was, I'd definitely scan the ticket first.  Perhaps going in with a friend or family, as a witness, would be good too.  You can't be too trusting these days.  Not when money is involved.

dpoly1's avatardpoly1

Quote: Originally posted by Grovel on Jun 18, 2014

This is why I scan all of my tickets before I cash them in.

I Agree!

Yepperie!

Stack47

One example: Chriag Parmar, who claimed, along with his mother, 47 prizes of $1,000 or more in three years. The lottery also began investigating Jamil Hamad after WFTS reported he won $1,000 or more on scratch-off games 38 times, even though he didn't want to reveal his secrets.

If all, some, or even one of the 85 ticket holders were cheated or scammed out of their winnings, why weren't the retailers charged with a crime?

The Florida lottery officials should know it looks bad and is bad for business when their retailers are cashing that many $1000+ winning tickets. They should also know these retailers legally bought the majority of those tickets from players who didn't want a W-2G or for other reasons. The Florida Lottery is trying to pretend they didn't know some of their retailers were cashing tickets for less than face value; either that or they think it's possible for one store to sell 47 prizes of $1000 or more in three years.

The lottery is now distributing public service announcements, urging players to sign their tickets.

It's amazing how ignorant the Florida Lottery is of the obvious. There are many reasons why some players are willing to take much less than face value than to have it publicly known they won something, yet the lottery people believe urging players to sign their tickets will solve the problem.

On the positive side, signing the tickets will prevent someone else from collecting the prize.

Drenick1's avatarDrenick1

Quote: Originally posted by Stack47 on Jun 19, 2014

One example: Chriag Parmar, who claimed, along with his mother, 47 prizes of $1,000 or more in three years. The lottery also began investigating Jamil Hamad after WFTS reported he won $1,000 or more on scratch-off games 38 times, even though he didn't want to reveal his secrets.

If all, some, or even one of the 85 ticket holders were cheated or scammed out of their winnings, why weren't the retailers charged with a crime?

The Florida lottery officials should know it looks bad and is bad for business when their retailers are cashing that many $1000+ winning tickets. They should also know these retailers legally bought the majority of those tickets from players who didn't want a W-2G or for other reasons. The Florida Lottery is trying to pretend they didn't know some of their retailers were cashing tickets for less than face value; either that or they think it's possible for one store to sell 47 prizes of $1000 or more in three years.

The lottery is now distributing public service announcements, urging players to sign their tickets.

It's amazing how ignorant the Florida Lottery is of the obvious. There are many reasons why some players are willing to take much less than face value than to have it publicly known they won something, yet the lottery people believe urging players to sign their tickets will solve the problem.

On the positive side, signing the tickets will prevent someone else from collecting the prize.

I Agree! Another factor is perhaps some of the winners were welfare recipients and didn't want to jeopardize their monthly Government support by declaring their lottery win. From what I have read, Lottery winnings are reported to not only the IRS but most government social welfare programs.

mypiemaster's avatarmypiemaster

With all the billions they rake in, the lottery should be able to provide the players, scanners that tell you exactly how much you won, instead of scanners that merely say, "you are a winner". Crooked clerks know that and are not afraid to pay you $5.00 when you actually won $500.00. The fault lies with the lotteries and to a lesser extent, the ignorant players that don't bother to thoroughly check their tickets.

infiniti30

Umm the scanners do tell you exactly how much you won unless it is a big prize and that is for security purposes. Would you like some yutes standing next to you when your found out your ticket was worth 1 mill. Don't worry those that lost their lottery licenses will sell the store to one of their family members and be back selling lottery at no time. When I worked for a lottery vendor that will remain nameless it seems like these patel stores were going through changes of ownerships every other week.

zip316

I am surprised I didn't see Patel's name before the bottom of the page,I think Patel is slipping.

kapla

Quote: Originally posted by Drenick1 on Jun 19, 2014

I Agree! Another factor is perhaps some of the winners were welfare recipients and didn't want to jeopardize their monthly Government support by declaring their lottery win. From what I have read, Lottery winnings are reported to not only the IRS but most government social welfare programs.

I am sure SOME of them MAY be welfare recipients - but if THEY didn't want anyone to know, why would they not use family or friends to cash them? 

End of comments
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