Nassau officials warn of lottery scam

You're a winner?

Don't bet on it.

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano and Acting Nassau County Police Commissioner Thomas C. Krumpter said Thursday that a new string of solicitations informing residents they're winners of a sweepstakes lottery is the latest in a series of scams that "cost honest citizens thousands of unrecoverable dollars."

Their message: "If you did not buy a lottery ticket, you cannot win a lottery." Period.

The warning was issued Thursday by the police department after complaints that local residents have been besieged by a round of phone calls and notifications via mail that they are winners of a new sweepstakes lottery. In some cases, officials said, a partial bank check is issued -- a check that "appears to be legitimate."

It isn't, officials said.

"If you receive a check for a lottery you did not enter, it is counterfeit," police said.

"There are no exceptions."

Officials also warned not to send money to anyone who says you must wire money to claim your prize. They said no legitimate bank or credit card company will ask you to supply them with your social security number or bank account passwords over the telephone or even online.

Officials urged anyone contacted by these scams to call police and file a complaint.