2008 Woodie Awards
Couple's $60,000 lottery win turns out to be elusive
Melanie Watson Ranger Reporter
Issue date: 9/29/05 Section: Issues
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"I can't believe it. We won $60,000 from the Lotto," said Laura Stone, a customer service representative. Timothy and Laura Stone have played the Lotto for years. "About four years ago, I won $150 off of a scratch-off, but never $60,000," Laura said.
She still hasn't.
On July 22, Timothy and Laura received a letter from the prize director of a lottery company in Canada, stating that Laura was the selected prize winner of $60,000.
The drawing was conducted in Vancouver, British Columbia. The letter informed Laura that the winnings would be released as soon as the clearance fee was deducted, according to federal and international laws.
For security purposes and clarity, the company advised Laura to keep the winnings information confidential until the claim was processed and the money had been remitted.
"I called the phone number on the letter to claim my winnings," Laura said.
"I was a bit skeptical.This was a large sum of money and too good to be true."
The prize director told Laura that within four or five days, she would receive a check for $3,980 to pay for the clearance fee.
"When you receive this check, call me and I will give you further instructions," he said.
Five days later, Laura received the check and called the director.
"I was told to cash the check and then call him back again," she said.
"Now, I'm very skeptical. I called the Texas Lotto Commission and read them the letter. They said it sounded legitimate."
Laura then took the check to a Mr. Payroll office. The clerk called a number on the check and could not verify it. Laura then called the director and told him the check was not good. He reassured her that there had been a mistake.
He told her to take the check to a major branch bank and cash it. Laura took the check to Amarillo National Bank, which verified the check and confirmed that the money was in the account.
"I really didn't want him having any of my personal account information, so I decided to try to cash the check at the Money Place," Laura said. The Money Place verified the check and cashed it.
She still hasn't.
On July 22, Timothy and Laura received a letter from the prize director of a lottery company in Canada, stating that Laura was the selected prize winner of $60,000.
The drawing was conducted in Vancouver, British Columbia. The letter informed Laura that the winnings would be released as soon as the clearance fee was deducted, according to federal and international laws.
For security purposes and clarity, the company advised Laura to keep the winnings information confidential until the claim was processed and the money had been remitted.
"I called the phone number on the letter to claim my winnings," Laura said.
"I was a bit skeptical.This was a large sum of money and too good to be true."
The prize director told Laura that within four or five days, she would receive a check for $3,980 to pay for the clearance fee.
"When you receive this check, call me and I will give you further instructions," he said.
Five days later, Laura received the check and called the director.
"I was told to cash the check and then call him back again," she said.
"Now, I'm very skeptical. I called the Texas Lotto Commission and read them the letter. They said it sounded legitimate."
Laura then took the check to a Mr. Payroll office. The clerk called a number on the check and could not verify it. Laura then called the director and told him the check was not good. He reassured her that there had been a mistake.
He told her to take the check to a major branch bank and cash it. Laura took the check to Amarillo National Bank, which verified the check and confirmed that the money was in the account.
"I really didn't want him having any of my personal account information, so I decided to try to cash the check at the Money Place," Laura said. The Money Place verified the check and cashed it.