Here's 7 ideas you can use to sidestep the problem and keep your identity

1. Get your ticket claimed by a representative. Use a stand-in for the photo so there's less chance of you being recognized in public.

2. Negotiate terms with lottery officials. For example, if there is good reason why you don't want publicity, they may not require you to to give a news conference. But you need to have a good reason - remember it's important to them to have your name and face out there.

3. Wear a mask, cap or beard when you show up for a publicity photo. Masked winners are often seen in Europe, China and Singapore.

4. Cancel all your phone accounts immediately, including mobiles. Get new numbers, or change your phone number to an unlisted one. Remember, you can now afford to throw your new iPhone, Samsung Galaxy or Blackberry away and buy another!

5. Leave home and rent or buy a home in another city under another name. But remember media are skilled at getting information and will find you, especially if it is a large jackpot win.

6. Don't give interviews to the media. Most interviewers don't play by your rules, and will skillfully persuade you to say things that you may regret later.

7. Ignore begging letters. You don't have to open them! Have them disposed of by a commercial document destruction center.


Winning a large jackpot is a life-changing event. Don't take it lightly. Use these steps and get all the legal and financial help you can.

Mega Millions winners Pat and Merle Butler at their press conference. Merle holds the winning ticket. Via NY Daily News

Today a retired couple in their 60's claimed the final third ticket in the biggest lottery draw in history. The winners share the recent $656 Mega Millions lottery prize, and are from Red Bud, Illinois.
Despite being residents in the small 3,700 population town all their lives, they managed to keep the win a secret.
They took home $110 million after taxes from the $218 million win.