Oh my goodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! First off, I`m 21 and about 11 minutes ago I went on the web to check my numbers for this week`s 70 million. At first glance I saw relevant numbers but I thought there was no way!!! I triple checked, again and again and again and omg Ive never felt soo weak in the knees when I realized I won!!!!! I live in Ontario, Canada and I have no clue what to do I`m literally teary-eyed and Im not familiar with the lottery OMG what do I do with the ticket??!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOw do I get my MONEY?! I havent told a soul that I won but I expect Lotto Ontario will call?? Or do I call them? Who do I tell that I won? How do I keep crAZY people away from me??!?!?!? Any help would be so much appreciated THANK YOU!
9 Answers
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Dear J T:
First, congratulations.
Second, calm down and listen to me.
As this occurred two days ago, I have no idea what specific actions you have taken to date. However, here are the basics:
1. Before you do anything else, initial the back of the ticket by means of an ink pen. Until the ticket is initialed, anybody can claim it.
2. Tell only a limited number of people about your good fortune, at least in the beginning. The whole world does not have to know. Tell only your spouse, children, and parents. Contact your family attorney at first opportunity.
3. Get the ticket into your safe deposit box at first opportunity, and keep it there until you are ready to redeem it.
4. The system will have a record of the winning numbers, the name of the licensee that sold the winning ticket, and the physical location out of which that licensee operates. It will not have the name of the person who purchased it. You, acting through your attorney, must initiate contact with the lottery commission. The procedures are written on the back of the ticket.
5. To get your winnings, you must present the winning ticket to the lottery commission for redemption. Expect that this will be a rather lengthy process for the following reasons:
a. Because of the amount of money involved, the lottery commission will subject the ticket to a variety of scientific and accounting tests to verify that it is not counterfeit, and that it has not been altered in any way, shape, manner, or form.
b. You will be investigated thoroughly. If you have any outstanding unpaid taxes and/or fees, unpaid alimony, unpaid child support, unpaid civil judgments, or unpaid traffic fines, the monies to satisfy those debts will be withheld from your winnings.
c. Expect to fill out a lot of paperwork. And more paperwork. And yet more paperwork. The lottery commission and your attorney will guide you through the process. Just follow procedure.
d. You will be subjected to a lengthy interview. You will be expected to disclose all of your outstanding debts, including – but not limited to – the ones described above. Also, if you purchased the ticket as part of a betting pool with family, friends, or co-workers, you must disclose that fact as well. Any attempt to cut other legitimate winners out of their share of the winnings constitutes criminal fraud. Moreover, as you will be giving this testimony under oath, you could also be subjected to the penalties for perjury. Follow your attorney’s advice on these matters.
Incidentally, bring with you your birth certificate, driver’s license, and any other documents that your attorney recommends, in order to prove who you are. Remember, you are not running for the office of President of the United States; you are trying to claim a lottery jackpot.
Regardless of whether you take your winnings as an annuity or as a lump sum, expect that the authorities will withhold the appropriate income tax. It is my understanding that lottery winnings are not taxed in Canada; but lottery winnings are taxed in the United States.
After all that is done, the lottery commission will advise you on how to take the winnings into your possession. You probably will have to set up multiple financial accounts. Follow your attorney’s advice on these matters as well.
In due course, the lottery commission will schedule a press conference, where they will present to you the oversized prop check.
After that, you may tell whomever you wish about your winnings. However, I would suggest strongly that you consider the virtues of subtlety. As I said, the whole world does not have to know.
Having so much money can be both a blessing and a curse. It does give you financial security; but it also will make you the target of identity thieves, con artists, and just plain crazy people. Your attorney can put you in touch with a security expert to advise you on how to protect yourself and your loved ones, both financially and physically.
After that, have your attorney put you in touch with an accountant, a tax attorney, and a certified financial planner. You will have many decisions to make.
Good luck!
What am I saying? You already have had good luck!
Oh, well. Have some more.
Flash Kellam
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I’d probably put the money in several bank accounts and bonds… the first thing I’d do is book a trip to the North Pole, like a long cruise going to Iceland and Greenland and all those little islands by the Antarctic. Then I’d buy me a house!
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for one look on the back of the tiket it should have a phone # on it call it. or go to the place you bought it at and they will help u. the best thing to do with the money is split it up in differant banks so if they forclose the government will refund you local news will prob be all over you so be propared
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First off congratulations!
Go on the lottery website and see how to claim your prize. If this Is for real you are a very lucky person!
Ps. share some with me!
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First you go to the store and show them your ticket that you won.
Then they verify it and you call the number on the back, then they call.
Then they send you the money, and then you take $1,000,000 and send it to me for believing you and telling you how to get your money.
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Give half of the money to me half of the money to the charity and half of the money for your needs and goods
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Give half to me then half to a charity of your choice…
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Interesting…there has never been a jackpot for $70 million in Canada.