We May Probably Never Know Who Won The Record-Breaking $1.53 Billion Mega Millions Jackpot
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We probably won't know who won last week's Mega Millions jackpot of $1.537 billion. And it’s because South Carolina - where the winner bought their ticket - is one of the few states where they can remain anonymous.
In most of the United States lottery winners’ identities are public record, but a handful of states grant anonymity to their lucky winners.
Only Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, and Texas allow Mega Millions winners to remain anonymous.
One way to stay partly anonymous! 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.
Michigan winners can remain anonymous, but not if they've won Powerball and Mega Millions prizes.
In Arizona, winners can keep their names secret if they win more than $600, but only for a maximum of 90 days.. After that their names become public record.
Georgia recently elected to keep jackpot winners anonymous. State Senate Minority Leader Steve Henson, a Democrat from Stone Mountain, proposed the change and it was signed into law this year. Under the change, anyone who wins a jackpot of $250,000 or more can opt to be anonymous.
Two unidentified winners appear to collect $128 Million from a 2012 Maryland Powerball jackpot.
In Pennsylvania, the then state Rep. Ted Harhai (D) attempted twice to introduce a bill to keep winners’ names anonymous indefinitely.
Kavanagh wanted to give winners 90 days before their name is released. He filed a bill that advanced past a state Senate committee in Jan 2015, but it never went anywhere.
"As in most states, Pennsylvania Lottery winners cannot remain anonymous and certain winner information is made public under the state’s Open Records law," the Pennsylvania Lottery said.
Owner CJ Patel in the modest store in Simpsonville, SC, where the latest $1.537 Billion Mega Millions jackpot ticket was bought.
"This assures the public that Lottery winners are real people and that the Lottery operates with integrity and transparency,” they said.
Our recommendation? When you win your multi-million jackpot, it is a good idea to live under the radar - at least for a while.
Neysa Thomas of the Kansas Lottery places a check for $218 million on a silhouette for an anonymous winner.
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 organizations 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 are some ideas that will let you recover from the happy shock in peace:
1. Contact a lawyer and have a legal body formed as a trust or corporation. This will allow you to spend the winnings however you like without identifying yourself personally.
2. 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. Put a privacy block on your phones. 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. Shift homes. 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.
This is the last time William and Heather ten Broeke were seen in public after their $246 Million Powerball win.
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 which you rent under your blind trust name. Visit the box to collect your mail only at night after business hours.
RELATED: You Won't Believe These 11 Weird Photos Of Lottery Winners Who Shunned Publicity
