Avoid lottery scams this holiday season

Lottery scams are big business and the crooks are trying to reach you by phone, email and even in person.

“They got me real good. I thought I was smarter than that,” said fraud victim, Edgar Wollam.

Wollam ran a popular restaurant for decades and had prepared for his retirement.  But thieves running a lottery sweepstakes scam called saying he won 3.5 million dollars.  All he had to do was pay the fees.

They lured him along, telling him he also won a Mercedes Benz. By the end of the scam, Wollam had handed over and lost $25,000, his entire savings.

Once the scammers get money from you, you’re name gets passed around to other crooks and you remain a target.

Some simple advice, if you don’t know who’s calling, don’t pick up. And no legitimate lottery will ever ask for money up front.