Last-Minute Luck: Woman Claims $100K Lottery Prize Just Hours Before Deadline

A Race Against Time Pays Off Big

In a heart-pounding turn of events, a Rhode Island woman narrowly avoided losing out on a massive $100,000 lottery win by claiming her prize just before expiration. The lucky winner, whose identity remains undisclosed, had purchased the golden ticket months ago but nearly missed her chance to collect the life-changing sum.

How It Happened

• The Ticket: A "$100,000 Cashword" scratch-off purchased at a local convenience store.
• The Oversight: The winner forgot about the ticket for nearly a year.
• The Deadline: Rhode Island Lottery rules require claims within 1 year of purchase.
• The Close Call: She submitted her claim just hours before the cutoff.

What Winners Should Know

1. Always check expiration dates immediately after purchasing tickets
2. Sign the back of winning tickets immediately
3. Store tickets in a secure, memorable location
4. Set calendar reminders for claim deadlines

The Aftermath

Lottery officials confirmed this marks one of the closest calls in recent memory. The winner, still processing her good fortune, plans to use the windfall to pay off debts and take a much-needed vacation. "This serves as an important reminder," stated a lottery spokesperson, "winners should always verify dates and claim promptly."

What Do You Think?

• Should lottery expiration periods be extended to prevent these close calls?
• Is a one-year claim window fair or too restrictive?
• Would you support automatic notifications for unclaimed prizes?
• Could this story encourage more people to check old tickets?
• Should large unclaimed prizes be donated rather than returned to the lottery pool?