Before you celebrate that lottery win: Arkansas officials share a warning

Imagine getting a call announcing you've won a massive lottery prize. A brand-new car and nearly $800,000 await you. Sounds incredible, right? Hold that excitement. The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery (ASL) warns this could be a dangerous scam.

The scam breakdown

Recent reports reveal a sophisticated fraud targeting lottery players. Scammers pose as official lottery representatives. Their goal? To trick you into revealing personal information or sending money.

Here's how the current scam operates:

• A caller claims you've won a "grand prize promotion" worth $797,000 and a 2025 Chevy Equinox.
• They provide fake contact numbers: 888-857-9437 and 501-309-2661.
• The scammer requests your name and tax ID to "verify" the win.

ASL Executive Director Sharon Strong is clear: "If you ever receive a call, text, or email asking you to provide personal information to see if you won a lottery prize, do not respond. It is a scam.”

If you're unsure about a lottery communication, use these official channels:

• ASL Claim Center: 501-683-2060
• ASL Investigations: blake.hudson@arkansas.gov
• Arkansas Lottery Security Hotline: 1-888-606-6292

Red flags to watch

Legitimate lotteries follow strict protocols. Be wary of potential scams that involve unsolicited contact about winning a lottery you didn't enter. Scammers often request personal information or demand upfront fees. They may pressure you to keep the win confidential, use poor grammar, or communicate through low-quality channels. Watch for suspicious caller IDs, especially those with foreign area codes. These red flags signal a fraudulent attempt to steal your personal information or money.

Protect yourself

Follow these critical steps to avoid falling victim to lottery scams. Never provide personal information to unsolicited callers. Always verify wins through official channels. Take time to check your online lottery account for genuine prizes. Monitor your credit report for any suspicious activity. If you suspect fraud, contact local authorities immediately. These proactive measures can protect you from potential financial harm and identity theft.

How scammers manipulate your emotions

Lottery scammers prey on human hopes and vulnerabilities. They craft intricate narratives designed to trigger powerful emotional responses. The promise of a life-changing win short-circuits rational thinking. Excitement floods the brain, drowning out warning signals.

These criminals exploit universal human desires. Financial struggle, dreams of escape, and the fantasy of instant wealth become their primary weapons. They create elaborate scenarios that feel deeply personal. A scammer might claim you've won because of a "special" drawing or suggest the prize is fate's intervention in your life.

Urgency is their most potent tool. Scammers pressure victims with time-sensitive claims. "You must claim your prize in the next 24 hours," they'll say. This manufactured deadline prevents careful thought. Victims feel they must act quickly or lose everything. Fear of missing out overwhelms logical reasoning.

Emotional manipulation follows a calculated script. First, they create euphoria with the "win" announcement. Then, they introduce complexity through verification steps. Each step is designed to make you invest more emotionally and potentially financially. By the time red flags appear, many victims are already deeply committed to the fantasy.

The bottom line

The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery wants players to stay safe. Remember: If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Stay alert. Stay informed. Protect yourself from lottery scams.