Do You Really Have To Reveal Your Identity When You Win A Lottery Jackpot? There's Only 7 States That Allow You To Remain Anonymous

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California man B. Raymond Buxton was the sole winner of the $425 million Powerball jackpot in 2014, and claimed his prize covering his face with the standard oversized check.

(UPDATED Thursday, December 1, 2022) If you live in the following seven USA states, you're lucky because you don't have to give out your name or identity, and can remain anonymous and protected.

That's why a bill is being put forward to allow winners to stay anonymous.

"When you're suddenly worth $10 million-$20 million dollars, [to] the little things like suddenly everybody who's an investment adviser is hounding you," said Arizona Sen. John Kavanagh.

"It occurred to me to put your name so quickly put out into the public really would subject you to a lot of problems," Kavanagh told the Arizona Republic.

Under state law in most of the United States, lottery winners’ identities are public record.

Only Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, North Dakota, South Carolina, Texas and Ohio allow winners to remain anonymous.

Unidentified winners in the $128 million Maryland Powerball game.

In Pennsylvania, state Rep. Ted Harhai (D) said last week he’ll introduce a bill to keep winners’ names anonymous indefinitely.

And Kavanagh wants to give winners 90 days before their name is released. He filed a bill that advanced past a state Senate committee last Monday (26 Jan 2015).

Our recommendation? When you win your multi-million jackpot, it is a good idea to live under the radar - at least for a while.

You should keep your head down for a few months because you'll likely be chased by many interested parties:

  • Former partners who want a share. 

  • Distant relatives who think they deserve a share. 

  • News media of every kind - newspapers, tv and the net - who want to interview you and expose your shopping habits. 

  • Kidnappers who know you are an easy prey. 

  • Groups and organisations that need funds. 

  • The needy and the desperate. 

  • Crazies and predators (yes, they are out there!)

Then there's another important reason...

You will need some time to adjust to your wealth without the constant attention and well-meaning suggestions from anyone and everyone.

Here's some ideas that will let you recover from the happy shock in peace:

1. Contact a lawyer and have a legal body formed, a trust or corporation. This will allow you to spend the winnings however you like without identifying yourself personally.

2. Start by depositing the funds in a new bank account that can't be touched for 6 months. Not only will this allow your emotions to simmer down after the win, it also prevents you giving it to anyone without due thought.

3. When you deal with banks or legal staff, go to upper management. Make an appointment by phone and mention the amount in passing. Don't stand in a queue waiting for a teller - those days are gone for you! It's white glove treatment from now on.

4. If you have a business that can be traced to you, sell it. After all, you probably won't need the stress and daily chores that every business has. Even if it is a profitable business (and very few are), think twice about putting it under management - it could be more trouble managing the manager!

USA Powerball jackpot winner Will Seeley planned to 'disappear into the woods' after collecting his share of the $86 million prize in 2013.

5. If you haven't already put a privacy block on your phones, do that now. Don't use your current cellphones - buy one with a prepaid plan and only give that number to trusted family and friends. Be prepared to throw it away and get another as soon as someone outside your known group rings you.

6. If you plan to stay in your own home, you will face all the problems you've read about here. So you may need to shift. Don't do what most people do and stay with a friend or relative - you can be easily traced by anyone who knows your name. Take a 6-month lease on a nice property in the countryside and prepare to enjoy it!

7. Keep a low profile during your time away. Do not buy expensive cars or draw attention to yourself by flashing wads of cash about. The idea is to let the fuss and attention die down. Six months is usually enough.

8. Don't use your current credit cards. Get a debit card or an anonymous ATM Debit card. And use an anonymous browser for your computer so that you can't be traced when you check your bank accounts or make plane bookings.

9. Have all mail - your bank statements, bills and correspondence, everything - sent to a private box that you rent under your blind trust name. Visit the box to collect your mail only at night after business hours.