I'm not sure if it's this specific persons story but there's a Nicolas Cage Movie called It Could Happen to You thats premise the protagonist is short on the top and says he has aoterry ticket and if she lets him go she can have half prize money as the tip.
this post was submitted on 13 May 2026
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This is why if you win something like this you shut the fuck up. You don't tell your coworkers, you don't tell your ex, and you definitely don't tell anyone else that you don't plan to share with directly. There are even (in the US) lottery attourneys just to help people stay anonymous, and handle the taxes.
Depends on where you are, though. Some US states require public disclosure of the winner's identity in order to claim the winnings. You could use an intermediary, but that introduces risk because you're essentially signing away the claim to them.
Sued the IRS why? No tax on tips?
It doesn't say she sued them, just went to court against them. I think it's safer to assume she had to defend herself.
Aaahh, the USA where even accidentally getting a little richer will fuck you over a lifetime
Her #1 mistake was telling anyone she'd won.
A lot of lottos don't have a choice, the terms and conditions sometimes explicitly say you must waive certain right of privacy or contractually expect televised or otherwise interviews.
Only thing you can do is the moment you get the money, send it all offshore and leave the country. Enjoy life in some non extradition country. Or if you want higher quality of life, do what criminals do.
I know of one embezller who bribed hondouran government for passport for only 40,000 USD and loved off 10 years in New Zealand before being identified by someone who he stole money from in a park of all places.
She didn't even buy that lottery ticket. All that trouble was foisted upon her because someone else gave her the ticket. Imagine you're minding your own business, and then someone gives you a lottery ticket and your whole life gets turned upside down. It's crazy to think that It Could Happen to You.
If I get handed 10 million I'll manage some turnings
Is the truth behind that movie?
Sort of. In 1984, Phyllis Penzo worked at a pizzeria and Officer Robert Cunningham suggested splitting a lottery ticket in lieu of a tip. Penzo actually forgot about it, but Cunningham won $6 million and honored their agreement. The film came out in 1994, so it was almost certainly inspired by the story (I didn't find a definitive answer in my incredibly brief search).
The woman pictured in OP's post is Tonda Dickerson, who was a waitress at Waffle House in Florida in 1999. She was tipped the lottery ticket, and everything in the image appears to be true.
Wow so one gets a movie made and she doesn't. Sounds like way more interesting story.
winning the lottery is always a curse
Only if you're unable to keep your mouth shut.
Some lotteries you have to make your name public to claim it, for advertising and publicity.
This is also to ensure it's not just the lottery official's second cousin who's always winning it.
Eh, that falls under publicity, but yeah, keeps people honest.
Create an LLC. Sell the lottery ticket to the LLC for $5. Send a lawyer as a representative of the LLC to claim the winnings.
Who has money for that? Do you think I won the lottery or something?!
If you won the lottery I imagine you'd be able to hire a lawyer to sort that out and agree payment terms that say transfer of cash happens after winnings have been collected.
It was a joke.
Who has the mood for that? You think I am happy or something?
(shakes Klear's hand): thank you for falling for the set-up.
(shakes username_1's hand): and thank you for the delivering the punchline.
Sometimes you can get a lawyer to help you claim it in a legally anonymous way. It's worth making the phone call.
Dealing with people is always a curse...
I won once, but it was only 11€35.
Wait a second, I did stub my toe the day after that, you might be onto something...
Jesus. The strength that woman posses for being able to stand up and keep moving forward in the face of all of those (stupid) obstacles. I hope she is able to overcome and prosper. 👊
Thx for motivating me to fold this laundry lol.
Let’s give credit where credit is due: this one is a W for you.
In my personal experience, I find knocking out small tasks (like folding laundry, putting laundry away — yes they are two tasks) is a great way to build up momentum for bigger things, but not always. And that’s okay. My goal every day is to do at least one thing. Just one. If I do more than one then I have exceeded expectations. Keep pushing! 👊
Hairdo checks out Victory to her
$10,000,000
How is this you irl
Whoever gave her that ticket had to have been an agent of satan or some fae creature maybe even the demiurge itself.
