Good Question: Is my Social Security Number required on the lotto app?

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) —It used to be the only way to get lottery tickets–grab some cash then go buy your shot at millions from the store.

But now, you don’t even have to leave the couch.

Meet Jackpocket. The app started allowing New Yorkers to buy lotto tickets from their phones earlier this year. Jackpocket charges a convenience fee to add money to your account but you keep all the winnings.

John asked News10NBC’s Brennan Somers about this process: As I explored the website I was somewhat taken back when they required a social security number to set up the payment options for paying for the tickets through a bank account and to send the money to your account should you win. With all the news about stealing social security numbers to be used for dishonest purposes is this safe?

Somers reached out to the staff at Jackpocket.

A representative responded saying:

“Our New York customers never have the option of inputting their social security number with Jackpocket for any reason. The only time a customer may be required to input a social security number is if, in certain states (not New York), they choose to fund their account by opening up a separate third-party bank account (called a Play+ account), where they agree to that third-party’s privacy policy and terms. However, the vast majority of our customers (and all New Yorkers) fund their account through ACH (from their existing bank account), Paypal, Apple Pay, and debit and credit cards, none of which require the customer to input their social security number. If a customer has a big winner in New York (greater than $600), the New York Lottery may require the winner to provide their social security number as part of claiming their prize, but that is a requirement of the New York Lottery, and not something stored with Jackpocket.”

On the app you will be asked to put in your driver’s license info or scan the barcode when signing up, just like showing ID in person, that’s to make sure players are at least 18.

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