Atlantic Lottery scam warning

Legitimate lotteries don’t ask winners to pay taxes, provide banking details over the phone

The Atlantic Lottery Corporation is warning Atlantic Canadians of the latest lottery scam: a caller claims to be from Atlantic Lottery and advises you that you’ve won a large prize. They cite a file number as proof of the win. To collect the prize you’re told you must first pay the taxes.

“We’ve recently become aware of these calls,” Jay Merritt, manager of risk management and investigations for Atlantic Lottery, said in a news release.

“A legitimate lottery would never ask a winner to pay any money or provide banking details over the phone or through email.”

If you get a call or an email that says you’re a winner, here are some points to consider:

- To be eligible for a lottery prize from Atlantic Lottery, you must be 19+ and have purchased a ticket from an authorized retailer in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland & Labrador, or on the alc.ca website.

- Canadian lotteries only operate lotteries, games of chance or contests in their own jurisdiction. Atlantic Lottery only operates in Atlantic Canada.

- Canadian lotteries don’t send out unsolicited cheques and do not require tax payments, administration fees or other monies in advance of releasing cash prizes.

Atlantic Lottery said that to win an Atlantic Lottery prize, players would need to have bought a ticket or entered one of Atlantic Lottery’s contests.

“If you buy at retail, the best way to know if your ticket is a winner is to validate it at your local retailer or call Atlantic Lottery,” said Merritt.

“If you purchase tickets on alc.ca, we will send an email if you win; it’s part of our secure and convenient system.”

Atlantic Lotto said if Atlantic Canadians think they have received a fraudulent call or email from someone claiming to be an Atlantic Lottery employee or a former Atlantic Lottery winner, the best plan of action is to contact either local police or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s PhoneBusters line at: 1-888-4958501.

“If you buy at retail, the best way to know if your ticket is a winner is to validate it at your local retailer or call Atlantic Lottery.” Jay Merritt, manager of risk management and investigations for Atlantic Lottery