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NJ residents targeted by lottery scams

David P. Willis, @dpwillis732

With scammers impersonating utility workers and IRS agents, the New Jersey Lottery warns that fraudsters are calling and mailing residents about fake lottery winnings too.

"Lottery scams are nothing new," said New Jersey Lottery Executive Director Carole Hedinger said in a statement. "People can be enticed into believing that they have won a prize by telephone callers, emails and letters misrepresenting the Lottery."

Don't be fooled by claims you've won a lottery that you never entered.

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Here are some things to keep in mind:

  1. Never provide your credit card number, personal banking information and passwords to anyone promising lottery winnings.
  2. Don't give or wire funds, cash, money orders or checks to people who say you're a winner.
  3. Only buy lottery tickets from the more than 7,200 authorized New Jersey Lottery retailers throughout the state.
  4. Call the New Jersey Lottery Security Office if you're approached by someone promising you lottery winnings or offering a winning lottery ticket for cash. The number is 609-599-6100.
  5. Never redeem a lottery ticket for someone other than yourself.

David P. Willis: 732-643-4039; dwillis@gannettnj.com; facebook.com/dpwillis732