Anonymity for this huge jackpot. Let's settle this right here and now.

Reply #38

urrutiap — Thu, 14 Jan 2016 01:07:14 GMT

Plus there's shady people out there, kidnappings going on etc. Better to just stay indoors for the next 5 years

Reply #37

urrutiap — Thu, 14 Jan 2016 01:06:16 GMT

If I won the Powerball, here's what I would really do

Do nothing for a whole month. Eventually the media and people will get bored of you. Then they will go nuts over the next big Powerball jackpot and next winner.

Casually go out and have fun the next month or whatever. Bring family members so you can feel safe. Go to a McDonals or something. Seriously.

Then the next 3-5 years everyone else in america will forget about you.

Im 35 so with all the million bucks pow... [ More ]

Reply #36

Teddi — Thu, 14 Jan 2016 00:49:12 GMT

Nope, sorry. I don't agree with mandating someone's identity be made public.

The whole situation with Tipton didn't happen because the state was required to release an identity to the public, it happened because the lawyer trying to make the claim was an idiot. The same questions are asked as routine in anonymous and non-anonymous states. The fact that he couldn't provide answers to any of the security questions (over the phone, btw) is what tripped this up. Then when he tried again but with... [ More ]

Reply #35

DG1USA — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 23:52:23 GMT

You can remain anonymous in Maryland so if you win, you should be all set

Reply #34

haymaker — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 19:40:05 GMT

Yesterday when buying tix I used his method where you look at the bet slip and pick the #s that jump Out at you.

He called it letting the #s pick you.

Other then that, and win, I don't want to do anything Edwards did.

Reply #33

mdmegamillplyr — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 18:10:50 GMT

What are the anonymity laws in Maryland

Reply #32

zephbe — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 16:34:28 GMT

If you win in SC you can stay anonymous. If you choose you can go public-something I think you want to do for some reason. I've read some other posts from you leaning in that direction. You might want to re-think that. Good luck to us all.

Reply #31

travelintrucker — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 16:06:24 GMT

You have 180 days from the time of the draw. Plus, it'd be a good idea to wait until there's another big jackpot. That way most people are focused on that and not some past winner. Well, not as much.

Reply #30

Winner$inDC — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:14:46 GMT

Where I live I go pass lottery headquarters on the bus all the time. I could very well consider doing that ...... might be dangerous on the way back however and could ask a friend to do me a favor and get an Uber for me. They won't know who they're picking up, if someone gets it out of them they'll only have the friends info.

Reply #29

BuyLow — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:00:58 GMT

Trust all the way. Attorney as trustee goes to claim. https://www.lotterypost.com/news/296490

Afterwards have yourself renamed as the trustee.

Reply #28

AbsolutelyFun — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 12:28:57 GMT

Well the obvious claiming it via a Trust is something that has proven effective and in one particular case seemed to have worked. When Louise White claimed her jackpot she used the The Rainbow Sherbert Trust (note the misspelling was on purpose) and she did her press conference and barely uttered much with her attorneys doing most of the talking. Now nobody talks about her so I'm assuming she is fine now.

Another one that supposedly they got away with not having to reveal the actual winner w... [ More ]

Reply #27

myturn — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 11:49:48 GMT

UK lottery winnings have the right to remain anonymous. In the excitement of a win, some winners agree to publicly, not really understanding the implications. For very large prizes, I believe there should be a 'cooling off period', of 100 days.

Reply #26

myturn — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 11:41:28 GMT

A couple from Hawick in the Scottish Borders have been unveiled as the winners of half of last Saturday's record 66m National Lottery jackpot. David and Carol Martin, both aged 54, appeared at a news conference at the Dalmahoy Hotel, south of Edinburgh.

Congratulations to the winners. However, I am not sure it was wise to be identified publicly. I hope they are strong enough to handle the intense media attention, and all the requests that they will be bombarded with. I suspect they will... [ More ]

Reply #25

myturn — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 10:01:23 GMT

I do hope the winner/winners are given some time, at least, to get things in order before he/they are publicly identify. I hope the winner will be strong enough to handle the pressure.

Reply #24

AbsolutelyFun — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 09:22:30 GMT

I have heard that not driving to Lottery HQ is a good idea. I guess it's because your mind is pretty much focused on anything but driving.

Just a tip and you can listen or not listen to what I have to say but let me tell you a sad story about someone who won $34.9 M.

A snip tail waitress from Vegas hit the Megabucks slot machine for $34.9M. After she won she got married because now they could afford to get married. One night around a month afterward she was out with her family doing w... [ More ]

Reply #23

AbsolutelyFun — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 08:48:36 GMT

Or you can do what David Edwards did:

Edwards -- who hired an armed guard to protect his

winning tickets after Saturday's drawing and traveled to Louisville for Monday's news

conference with bodyguards -- conceded his life would change drastically after winning millions.

Reply #22

Stack47 — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 06:08:04 GMT

Because of the Tipton problem and the fact it's going to be a record jackpot, which ever state has a winning ticket will probably do everything they can for transparency. With just one winner, would you be satisfied if you read where an unknown trust claimed over $1 billion in cash or would you wonder if there really was a winner

Reply #21

Stack47 — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 06:00:53 GMT

Iowa law requires the name of the person redeeming the ticket not who purchased it

If that were true, Johnson or Shaw could have successfully claimed the winnings. According to this news article the Iowa Lottery wanted to talk to the man wearing the hoody that bought the ticket.

Somehow, Johnston and company erroneously assumed they could cash in the ticket through a trust to keep the buyer anonymous. But this was another oversight: Iowa is one of several states that mandates winners be i... [ More ]

Reply #20

JAMORA — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 05:26:02 GMT

Necessary for the lottery to process your claim...the only reason to release it to the media and public is for publicity and sales....

Reply #19

dddwww — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 04:50:47 GMT

Iowa law requires the name of the person redeeming the ticket not who purchased it, or if an LLC the name of the LLC and all members. But membership in an LLC can be hidden so it is still possible to be anonymous in Iowa and Tipton wasn't caught because he turned in a winning ticket, he was caught because it was determined he bought the winning ticket and gave it to someone else to redeem. He got the scam right for rigging the game but didn't have a credible end game. They were clumsy in their a... [ More ]

Reply #18

Stack47 — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 03:24:08 GMT

The jackpot will probably be over $1 billion in cash, Tipton was found guilty rigging the Hot Lotto game, was caught because Iowa requires the identity of whomever bought the ticket, yet we still have LP members who apparently can't comprehend why at times the identity of the winner is necessary.

Reply #17

Masone — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 02:22:49 GMT

That's why you hire a Jehovah Witness attorney. Them dudes live by a set of morals that me and you know nothing about. Talk about honest people. Get one of them elders from one of their kingdom halls to be your attorney and you'll be set.

Reply #16

Teddi — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 01:48:56 GMT

Well I hate to burst your bubble but POP

Let's not forget it was a lawyer who tried to claim the Tipton ticket. He wanted to claim on behalf of his client , he said, so his client could remain anonymous.

Anyone will do almost anything for the right amount of money. What's being kicked out of the bar association if you're promised more than you'd make practicing law in a lifetime? Watch a documentary called Unraveled. About a lawyer who impersonated a past client, using the man's name and... [ More ]

Reply #15

LottoLucy — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 01:16:30 GMT

I realized I had missed something obvious. No matter if you live in a state that you can claim anonymously or not, any good estate tax attorney will encourage you to claim the jackpot via trust. Well, unless you live in a state like VA where this is impossible. That way if anything happens to you your heirs can be protected. So if the ticket is being held in trust there isn't any reason your lawyer cannot go and turn in the ticket on behalf of the trust. No reason for you to go to the lottery of... [ More ]

Reply #14

travelintrucker — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 00:39:05 GMT

In my case, they'd get their money before I even claim the ticket. I'd take out a substantial loan beforehand. And they wouldn't even know why they were going to whatever I'd tell them to go to. It wouldn't matter if they talked. In fact, it wouldn't be in their best interest to talk. People would know they got a piece and would be trying to hit them up for cash. I'd be in hiding after writing the checks. I'd go public, get the publicity crap over with, and then disappear to somewhere in the wor... [ More ]

Reply #13

Murgatroyd — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 00:23:10 GMT

When you go in, lie. Until you're in a secure back room, tell everyone that you're there to cash in a $1000 scratcher, and you plan to use the money for a nice vacation.

Reply #12

travelintrucker — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 00:22:58 GMT

I'd say, in the long run, you're making things worse for yourself. I'd get the publicity crap over with and disappear.

Reply #11

travelintrucker — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 00:18:37 GMT

I'd set up a trust just to make sure you anonymity is protected. Laws can be changed.

Reply #10

lejardin — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 00:11:12 GMT

You guys are quick, I'm still typing and there are several responses. Guess we all are thinking alike. I like to read what everyone thinks of and the pitfalls you see. So far I am thinking I dont want to be anywhere near the claims office.

Reply #9

lejardin — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 00:01:52 GMT

Haymaker, I was thinking the same thing, that last time renting an obscure, economy auto lol but......you have to make sure the rental car employees et al keep their mouths shut. I know not just anybody can get information from a car rental company but this lottery isnt average, the same with a limo. Maybe just a flight to the claim office, stay at a hotel and walk to the office but then claims office will be staked out. I would NOT make an appointment like they want you to do.....giving them ti... [ More ]

Reply #8

TheMeatman2005 — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 23:45:46 GMT

If you live in a state where you can't remain anonymous, can you wear a disguise at press time?

I have seen some of the winner's pictures on Powerball and Megamillions website in the winner's stories section where they are holding the presentation check up in front of their face.

This is the first jackpot of its size, but with the new odds I bet it wont be the last. With billion dollar jackpots more commonplace, the idea of someone wining this much will fade like it did after someone won t... [ More ]

Reply #7

destinycreation — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 23:29:17 GMT

I am from South Carolina too. Our State supposedly allows winners to remain anonymous !!! The problem is, your friends and family will find out, and might not keep their mouths closed

Reply #6

LottoLucy — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 23:28:11 GMT

Me, too. Or, maybe get my lawyer to rent a car so anyone who might bribe a low paid Hertz employee will only get the law firm's name.

Reply #5

haymaker — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 23:17:07 GMT

You're right, I thought about renting a car to go to the lottery office,

just a plain ole 4 door sedan.

Reply #4

LottoLucy — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 23:06:20 GMT

The biggest issue an anonymous winner will face at first is from some reporter with either a camera or that license plate look up app hanging around the lottery office hoping to get a big scoop. After that it will be their own family or habits that will do them in.

Reply #3

Romancandle — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 22:53:12 GMT

For the states that do allow anonymity, I see no incentive for those states to NOT honor that.

But given how big this story is... Somebody, somewhere is going to go to great lengths to reveal the winner's (s) identity if they choose anonymity.

The lottery claims there has to be a face with the name to preserve the integrity of the game.

If they were so worried about the integrity of the game, then perhaps they'd be more transparent with their financial records

Reply #2

LottoLucy — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 22:45:08 GMT

One thing you don't seem to be taking into account...in several states annonymity is the law and not just a rule or lottery custom. In my state it is a law that covers several privacy issues related to state record keeping--so to overturn that law they would have to dismantle the current law, rewrite a substantial part of the state code, and get it by both the people and the governor. That just isn't going to happen in my state.

Now I won't say that the lottery officials might not try to pres... [ More ]

Reply #1

Candlelight777 — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 22:40:57 GMT

Not sure what the laws are in my state of Indiana, but i just don't understand why a person needs to reveal their identity. As long as a lawyer comes forth and verifies they are representing the current winner that should be enough for public confidence that a winner indeed is a real person. No lawyer is gonna put their career on the line to falsely cover up a fake winner for the lottery...why would the lottery need to do that anyway they are making money either way for their causes.

I perso... [ More ]

Anonymity for this huge jackpot. Let's settle this right here and now.

travelintrucker — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 22:24:11 GMT

If you're the sole winner of this over a billion PB jackpot, they are not going to let you remain anonymous. Your only saving grace is to set up a trust or a company to claim it, if your state allows it, and hope your attorney will keep his mouth shut. I mean, would rather go to jail than violate attorney/client privilege. I'm sure they'd want a huge fee for the trouble. There will be a HUGE public outcry to know who the winner is. So much that politicians will get involved. Don't be fooled! You... [ More ]