New York Issues Urgent Warning About Mega Millions Scam as Lottery Jackpots Soar

If you've been dreaming about winning one of the massive lottery jackpots this week, New York officials want you to be extra careful.

With the Mega Millions jackpot climbing to an estimated $743 million for Friday night's drawing and the Powerball jackpot reaching an estimated $567 million for tonights drawing, scammers are taking advantage of all the excitement by convincing people they've already hit the jackpot.

Scammers Claim You've Won Millions and Two Mercedes

The New York State Gaming Commission is warning residents about a scam that has now been reported in multiple states.

Victims say they receive a phone call from someone claiming to be a high-ranking Mega Millions official based in New York. The caller delivers what sounds like life-changing news: you've supposedly won $18.6 million and two brand-new Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

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There's just one catch.

The scammer says you must immediately pay taxes or other fees before your winnings can be delivered. Some callers even try to create a sense of urgency by claiming your check or vehicle warranties will expire if you don't act fast.

Here's How to Tell It's a Scam

If someone contacts you out of the blue to tell you that you've won the lottery, it's a scam.

The New York Lottery does not call, email or text winners because it doesn't even know who has a winning ticket until that ticket is presented to claim the prize.

You also can't win a lottery jackpot if you never purchased a ticket through a licensed retailer, an authorized lottery courier service, or an official New York Lottery subscription.

Red Flags to Watch For

The Gaming Commission says you should immediately hang up if someone:

• Tells you to pay taxes or processing fees before receiving your prize.
• Asks you to send money using gift cards or Green Dot cards.
• Requests your Social Security number, bank account information or credit card details.
• Sends you a check and tells you to deposit it before paying fees. Those checks are often fake and can leave you responsible when they bounce.

Government agencies also never collect taxes using gift cards or prepaid debit cards.

If It Sounds Too Good to Be True...

There's nothing wrong with hoping you'll become the next millionaire, especially with the Powerball jackpot sitting at $567 million and the Mega Millions jackpot reaching an estimated $743 million.

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Just remember one simple rule: If someone contacts you first and says you've already won, you haven't.

If you have a legitimate winning lottery ticket, you're the one who contacts the lottery... not the other way around.

Anyone with questions about a New York Lottery subscription prize can verify the information by contacting the New York Lottery Subscription Center directly before sending money or sharing personal information.