Poll : 30 August - 12 September 2017

I do not need more friends and relatives. you would not have anymore privacy and would be harassed by morons, con -artists and idiots!!

I doubt I would tell anyone. People would just figure out I had more money than I did. I have had enough people in my life bug me for things, I wouldn't need even more.

That's a tough one!
Living in a small town, I can assure you that within three days, the whole town would know, but at least trying to keep it under wraps would give me the time to get to Vegas. LOL

There is no way in heck I would stand up at at news conference and say I won millions, think of me as your new best friend.  Forest Gump said it best, "Stupid is as stupid does.."  I would definitely hide my identity behind a trust or other legal shelter from the storm.

The Multi-State Lottery Association only allows five states to pay off a winner anonymously.

As a winner from overseas I imagine it would be very difficult to keep it secret, but I would endeavour to as I already receive more than enough begging letters from charities and scam artists.

would not want everyone calling  looking for a handout or scheme.

Using a blind trust works well in most cases.. However, using a highly recommended trust within a trust ( claiming trust and bridge tust ) will provide  even greater anonymity.  This is an advanced strategy that should only be taken with competent and experienced legal counsel.

No one needs to know.  Especially if its a huge amount.  I would think my life would be constantly in danger to be honest.  I'd hire a security company 24-7 if I won 700 mil

As Michael mentioned, not all states allow you to be anonymous.  In the "fine print" I've read, there's an agreement that you consent to them using your name and photo.  I really think this puts people at risk, especially when jackpots are this high.  I'd do what I could to get out of exposure.  I wouldn't be showing up on CNN etc to discuss it. Heck, I probably wouldn't even tell people I know.  

I don't think my state allows a winner to hide their identity, so I wouldn't have the choice. I would if I could though, but that's a nice problem to have to solve for a half billion dollars. 

Many lotteries require the winner to be made public, such as Powerball so you can't remain anonymous.  What you can do is to have checks showing your taxes you are paying and contributions to charities along with the large checks showing that you don't have much money left.  Then for all those unknown relatives that surface, give them $20 and write their name down on a list and say I am glad I could help you out just like everyone else that "asked" for money and is on the list.  If people don't ask, then give what you want to them if anything.

I would come forward. Let's face it, in this day and age there are no secrets. (What did Terry Benedict say in "Oceans 11"? In my casino, someone is always watching.) We constantly get inundated with calls, if I google something, I am forever belted with sales ads. You can't get away from it. So just live with it. 

I live in Illinois and I know they require disclosure of the persons name and for the big prizes have a news conference. I think this is wrong as you lose your privacy especially if you have a job that would put you at risk if your name and address was known.  If a trust would protect you that is the way to go but not sure if all states would let you do that.   

I saw one winner that waited a month or two before he claimed the prize. He set up all the legal trusts and such to protect himself. Then he altered his appearance by growing out facial hair, wearing glasses & a hat so that when the promotional photos he would be almost unrecognizable. (And he never looked directly at the cameras) Afterwards he disappeared from public view, moved and set up a whole new life.

I image that Discretion would be the toughest part - it's human nature to want to share your good news, but in these life-changing situations you have to be discreet and careful.

I think Jay's comment could be the way to go!  With that kind of money I think I could hire the Undercover Boss team to help me out!  Lol. I think I remember someone winning in another country who showed up with a paper bag over their head.  At the least, I could wear a wig.  Lol 

I was remain anonymis

 Your analysis completely contradicts the poll results. Other comments also seem to indicate that the poll results or backwards. 

Thanks to those who've pointed out that the poll results were backwards. It was a switch glitch (or a glitch switch?); obviously, 96% of respondents WOULDN'T reveal themselves if they had the choice. The comments --and analysis -- certainly support that result. 

Sorry for the confusion. IT's looking into it.

While the IRS certainly knows, I'd attempt to withdraw ALL the winnings and quietly place them in a trust fund.

As mentioned, the lotteries want news of big winners out there to generate more participation.  I would try to keep it quiet.

Remember that lottery winnings are an expenditure of public money and people have a right to know where the money goes. I like being able to find out if lottery payouts conveniently go to a legislator's relative or the family of a political donor. A Fla. paper used public records of lottery winners to show money laundering, tax avoidance and other suspect activities: http://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/gaming-the-lottery/