Years ago, WOKY-Milwaukee gave a winner the "Double Cash" jackpot. Well, the jock misheard the amount. They ran promos apologizing, but she kept the money, as "we awarded it."

This was 1973 or so. Too, after that, they'd ask people "could you repeat that, please?" or added pennies to the total. IE: the jackpot was $1059.56
so that might make it more difficult to mis-hear.
In the jocks excitement, and all was live then, it was an honest mistake, but then you would hear too, "we're going to dial and record a cash call" and so, I guess, steps were taken.
....

Years ago, I don't know how, but I won a contest. They played a tape of me winning. I never ever was told I'd be on the air. Never went to pick up prize. Was not sure of policies. (1980's)

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Too, another contest where the station asked me for my Social Security number. I gave it. Again, I didn't go to the station to pick up my prize. (1980's)

....
Won a contest on an Upper Peninsula station in the spring. Went to station to claim prize. They asked for no identification at all! I showed the receptionist my driver's license. He was the morning dj! Small town radio, at its best!


What I've always found SAD is when they ask for caller #1 or 2 and no calls! Nobody mentioned as a winner. If I was an advertiser, I'd run.

Those are my stories. Interesting.....