The Better Business Bureau says they expect to see scammers trying to capitalize on the lotto fever that's swept across the country. They warn that scammers might reach out via email and telephone after the drawing to "inform" people that they've won a secondary prize. Lottery scams were among the Top Ten Scams of 2015 according to their scam tracker. (bbb.org/scamtracker).

Here are BBB's tips to avoid lottery scams:

  • Don't pay up to claim your prize. You should never have to pay money or buy products in order to receive a prize. Be especially wary of requests to send money via wire, prepaid debit card, gift card or other unusual forms of payment.
  • Be wary of email announcements. Major sweepstakes organizations sometimes email about smaller prizes, but for big winners they usually show up at your house with a big check (and a camera crew).
  • You can't win a contest you didn't enter. You need to buy a ticket or complete an application to participate in a contest or lottery. Be very careful if you've been selected as a winner for a contest you never entered.
  • Verify -- but not by using a source the scammers give you. Check if an offer is real, but don't call the phone number in the email or website you suspect may be a scam. If it is a con, chances are the person on the other line will be involved, too.
  • Check with BBB: Learn more about lottery scams and other cons at bbb.org/scam. Report scams to BBB Scam Tracker (bbb.org/scamtracker).

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