LOTTO bosses have warned players to double check their tickets as a mystery Powerball winner is currently going under the radar.
A ticket bought at a gas station is now worth $100,000, chiefs revealed.
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And, the slip was bought ahead of a draw that took place on April 2, as per the ABC affiliate WCIV-TV.
Because of where the ticket was bought, the clock has already started ticking and the player has less than 180 days to come forward.
And, officials have warned the player to collect their prize as soon as possible.
The mystery gambler spent just $2 when they bought the ticket from a Circle K gas station in Charleston, South Carolina.
And, their small purchase saw them defy odds of one in around 913,000 to land the prize.
The ticket holder just missed out on the jackpot prize by one number.
The player agonizingly missed out on the $31 million prize pot.
On Wednesday night, no player matched five numbers, which would’ve seen them land a $1 million.
The jackpot has since rolled over to an estimated $47 million.
But, when the player comes forward, they will lose a significant chunk of their prize.
Gamblers who win more than $5,000 must pay 24% to the federal government in tax.
This will see almost $25,000 cut from the winnings.
But, the deductions will not end there.
This is because players in South Carolina will have to pay at least 6.5% in tax to the state.
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.
Officials have revealed that the $100,000 sum is just one of thousands of unclaimed prizes in the state.
Over 6,000 players are still holding onto tickets worth anywhere between $4 to $100,000.
But, the window to claim prizes differ across the country.
Most states offer a six-month claim window, but in New York, players have one year to collect their winnings.
In California, players have six months to claim their prize unless they’ve managed to land the jackpot.
Jackpot winners have one-year to claim their respective prizes.
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