Urgent hunt for lotto winner as $278k remains unclaimed – bosses warn the money could disappear forever

A LOTTERY player has only a month to claim their $278k winnings before the prize money expires.

The individual purchased the ticket in St Louis, Missouri , in March this year.

AP

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The ticket was purchased by a Show Me Cash player at a Phillips 66 gas station, according to FOX affiliate KTVI .

The unknown individual purchased the ticket before the 22 March drawing, and they have until September 18 to claim their winnings.

After this date, the window to redeem the ticket will expire.

According to the Missouri Lottery, the winning numbers in the drawing were 8, 14, 15, 29, and 37.

Top lottery winners in the US

Millions dream of winning the lottery and finding fame and fortune. These are the biggest winners in US lottery history.

• Edwin Castro – $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 8, 2022, in California.
• Theodorus Struyck – $1.765 billion, Powerball, Oct. 11, 2023, in California.
• Unknown winner – $1.602 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023, in Florida.
• Marvin and Mae Acosta from Los Angeles, California, John and Lisa Robinson from Munford, Tennessee, and Maureen Smith and David Kaltschmidt from Melbourne Beach, Florida – $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016.
• Unknown winner – $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018, from South Carolina.
• Unknown winner – he sued the mother of his child to keep his identity hidden – $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2023, from Maine.
• Unknown winner – $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022, from Illinois.
• Cheng and Duanpen Saephan , and Laiza Liem Chao – $1.326 billion, Powerball, April 7, 2024, from Oregon.
• Yanira Alvarez – $1.08 billion Powerball, July 19, 2023 in California.
• Wolverine FLL Lottery Club – $1.05 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021, from Michigan.
• Unknown winner – $842.4 million Powerball, Jan. 1, 2024, from Michigan.

Winners have 180 days after the drawing date to come forward and claim their prize.

Lottery officials say that if the prize money is not claimed, it will be donated to funds benefitting public education in Missouri.

With just over a month left for this individual to claim their winnings, officials have urged Show Me Cash players to check their tickets .

The Missouri Lottery has an online resource that allows players to enter ticket information and check their potential winnings.

CLOSE CALL

This is not the first time lottery players have come close to missing out on their winnings.

A Powerball ticket bought in Iowa worth $1 million has yet to be claimed and is due to expire in February 2025.

The ticket was purchased in a grocery store, and lottery officials urged players to check their tickets.

The winning numbers were 29, 42, 22, 51, and 54, and the Powerball was 12.

The lucky player has just months to come forward, or they will lose out on the opportunity to become a millionaire.

Two tickets with a combined total of $250,000 have also yet to be claimed in Pennsylvania .

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 .

Both tickets were purchased at the start of July in Allegheny County.

One ticket was a Lottery Cash 5 with a Quick Cash tick, and the other was a Powerball ticket with Power Play.

The players have one year from the purchase date to claim their prize money.

But lottery officials have warned people in Pennsylvania to check their tickets.

A $50,000 winning ticket in South Carolina has not yet been claimed.

The Powerball ticket was purchased at a convenience store shortly before the August 3 drawing.

“Check your tickets! More than 11,000 players in South Carolina hold tickets for prizes from $4 up to $50,000,” lottery officials said .

AP