Virtual Theft

Reply #9

Ron5995 — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 17:47:23 GMT

Firstly, seems odd for a lottery retailer to cheat a player for $5 when they can likely find unclaimed winning tickets worth more than that discarded in their trash cans.

While numbers tickets can fade relatively quickly, instant tickets, at least in PA, are remarkably durable. The QR code will often still be readable despite being exposed to heat, cold, and/or rain/snow. Heck, even tire tracks, mud, etc often can be cleaned off. Biggest risk is scratching off the QR code and/or serial number... [ More ]

Reply #8

Kosh — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 01:40:23 GMT

Dear BobP

First Question:

There was no effect on the latex. Most of it was already scratched off.

2nd Question:

I am not a mind reader.

Kosh

Reply #7

BobP — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 01:20:31 GMT

Would also be interesting to see what being left on the dashboard on a hot summer day does to the latex of a lottery ticket?

So, do you figure the $5 was some kind of payback split the prize sooth the conscience deal?

BobP

Reply #6

lejardin — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 22:18:39 GMT

Good for you! I am wondering IF this woman did steal from you, via the phone or however it was done, she has done this before? Do it once, get away with it, try it over and over. It will be interesting to see the outcome and if others come out with the same story?

Glad you contacted the Commission and they are going to look into it. I agree, it is not the amount of $$$ it is being ripped off.

Reply #5

Kosh — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 21:43:07 GMT

Hello Everyone,

I have an update.

The Massachusetts Lottery Commission has responded to my email to them. They will be sending a claim form to me by mail so they can open up an investigation and look into this matter.

Kosh

Reply #4

Ron5995 — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 04:07:25 GMT

If Mass Lottery is like PA and many others, all one need do is photograph the QR code and then scan at the terminal. No app needed.

Self-service terminals generally aren't configured (no hand-held scanner) to directly scan a QR code from a phone, but printing out the QR code is a simple work-around for that.

Also, ticket checkers are potentially vulnerable to man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks. In Pennsylvania, the ticket checker is wired separately from the terminal, so it's conceivable for... [ More ]

Reply #3

Redd55 — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 00:13:13 GMT

I heard of something like this happening before in I think Australia. Some one won a lottery and held up the ticket for a news photo before cashing. The thief then used the numbers to obtain the prize before the rightful owner cashed it in. It was for a significant amount, too.

Reply #2

Kosh — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 00:01:57 GMT

Dear JoshUK,

In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, where I reside, it is possible to enter losing scratch tickets for 2nd chance drawing entries (1 per loosing ticket) by using a cell phone to scan the QR code or Bar Code on the ticket. As a matter of fact, the Massachusetts Lottery Commission has made an app available to cell phone users for just this purpose. You can read about it on the Mass Lottery Commission website.

Unfortunately, it now appears that someone has found a way to u... [ More ]

Reply #1

JoshUK — Tue, 20 Jun 2017 23:49:50 GMT

Sorry to hear what happened!

I think the fact someone stole from me would annoy me more than the $10! Can't believe someone would do that for a $10 winner! Lottery tickets should have to be presented to a cashier in order to redeem it

Virtual Theft

Kosh — Tue, 20 Jun 2017 23:43:13 GMT

I am extremely pissed off today.

Let me explain what happened. Here is how the theft of the value of my scratch ticket went down:

Earlier today, after traveling to visit an office to sign some forms, I went to a convenience store in Andover, MA and bought one (1) scratch ticket in the value of $10. That ticket was a 100X ticket that was a winner in the value of $10. After buying the ticket, I left the store without redeeming the ticket. I then drove down the state highway (Rt. 114) to... [ More ]