Next time you open an email that says you’ve won the Lotto, it’s probably worth thinking things over, prior to telling the boss to go jump in the lake.  In fact there are so many lottery scam emails that are circulating, i would suggest that it’s nearly a 100% chance that it was sent by criminals hoping to separate you from your money.  Here are a few rules of thumb for determining whether or not you’ve actually won.  Contrary to traditional advice of “if it sounds too good to be true”, i present these even more basic rules:

1. Did you buy a ticket for this lottery?

if you answered no, then you didn’t win, because you didn’t play.

2. Did your numbers match those drawn for the lottery you’ve allegedly won?

if you answered no, then you didn’t win, because you don’t have the winning numbers

3. Do you have the actual winning ticket in your hands?

if you answered no, then you didn’t win since you need the actual ticket to collect your prize.

If you answer no to any of these 3 questions, they you know it’s a scam.  Finally, if all else fails to keep you away from these people - Don’t EVER send money or banking information for collecting your prize.  The goal of the email they’ve sent you is to steal your money.  Don’t let it happen to you.

See some actual email lottery scams at www.AllLotteryScams.com