Lottery warning to urgently check numbers as $1m jackpot still unclaimed after win – it was sold at a grocery store

ONE fortunate individual has won a $1 million jackpot after buying a ticket at a grocery store, but their identity is unknown and the money remains unclaimed.

Lottery officials are urging people to check the numbers on their tickets in a bid to try and find the lucky winner.

The Powerball ticket was bought in New Jersey last week ahead of the lottery draw on Monday, July 8.

The unknown winner purchased their ticket at a Family Food Mart in Hackettstown, according to lottery officials.

The $1 million was the second-prize ticket at the drawing - the only ticket to match five numbers, but not the Powerball.

These five winning numbers for last Monday's second-prize jackpot were: 20, 22, 31, 33, and 45.

If these were the numbers on your ticket, lottery officials are waiting for you to claim your $1 million - this could be your lucky day.

This unknown individual is not the only person to have been unaware of their winnings.

Thousands of dollars remain unclaimed as five winners of previous Powerball drawings have not come forward, according to Lottery officials.

That's a grand total of $350,000 that could be lost if people don't claim their winnings soon.

Anyone that bought a lottery ticket in Delaware from September 2023 onwards has been urged to check their numbers.

People are given a year from the draw date to claim their prizes, so this latest unknown winner still has plenty of time to claim their $1 million.

The winner of last week's $1 million is not the first person to win a sizeable prize in New Jersey.

A married couple living in News Jersey won $221 million earlier this month.

The odds of hitting the jackpot are over 292 million to 1.

A player who buys a $2 Powerball ticket has a roughly 1 in over 11 million chance to match five numbers and win at least $1 million.

Lottery winnings: lump sum or annuity?

Players who win big on lottery tickets typically have a choice to make: lump sum or annuity?

The two payout methods can impact how much money you get from your prize.

Annuities pay out slowly in increments, often over 30 years.

Lump sums pay all at once but in a smaller amount, as taxes are withheld in one go. That means 24% of your prize goes to Uncle Sam right away. Many states tax winnings as well.

Annuities can provide winners time to set up the financial infrastructure required to take in a life-changing amount of money, but lump sums have the benefit of being taxed only once.

Inflation is also worth considering when making a choice, as payouts do not adjust with the value of a dollar. That means that you'll likely be getting less valuable money towards the end of an annuity.

Each state and game pays out prizes differently, so it’s best to check with your state’s lottery to confirm payment policies. A financial advisor can also help you weigh the pros and cons of each option.

Experts have varying opinions on whether to take the lump sum or take the annuity.

Powerball drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday in 45 states across the US.

Last Monday's jackpot prize of $29 million and last Wednesday's top prize of $40 million both had no winners.

Two third-prize $50,000 tickets were sold in New Jersey for last Wednesday's drawing.

Both tickets matched four numbers as well as the Powerball.

While last week's lucky winner still has plenty of time to come forward and claim their winnings, Lottery officials are adamant for people to check their tickets.

Thousands and thousands of people play the lottery every week across the US, but the opportunity to become a millionaire is not something many believe will happen to them.

Responsible gambling

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
• National Council on Problem Gambling – https://www.ncpgambling.org/
• Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 1-800-522-4700 or go to ncpgambling.org/chat