Taco Bell said today that some winning participants in the recent Unlock the Box promotion did not, in fact, win a PlayStation Vita.

Numerous customers complained recently that they entered the code online through the website and were greeted with a "Congratulations, you won!" screen. However, weeks later, many winning customers received an e-mail saying they did not win.

Taco Bell claims the website was illegally accessed and the hacker created too many winners.

Below is Taco Bell's full statement on the matter:

We have learned that during a short period of time on January 30th, some people entering our Unlock the Box promotion erroneously received a message suggesting they had won a PlayStation® Vita, pending verification. After a thorough investigation, and an additional review by the independent company administering the promotion, it was confirmed that these entrants viewed these messages as a result of others who attempted to gain illegal entry and defraud the system. Unfortunately, during this time period some saw a confirmation screen but were not valid winners.

Taco Bell designed this sweepstakes to be fun for our consumers and we know that there are some disappointed fans.

We are therefore giving those consumers who viewed erroneous messages a second chance to win by automatically entering them into a separate drawing to win a PS Vita. All winners will be notified and their names posted the week after the end of the promotion. The issue that occurred on January 30th has been resolved and the Unlock the Box promotion will continue to run through March 11, 2012.

[Source: CBS]