We all know that Publisher’s Clearinghouse is a legit sweepstakes company, but we also know that in order to win, you have to enter. A Publisher’s Clearinghouse Scam (PCH) is when fraudulent attempts are made by individuals claiming to be representatives from PCH. A fraudster will call or text the victim claiming that they have won elaborate prizes, even though they didn’t enter, ranging from millions of dollars to multiple cars, and in order to win these prizes all they have to do is pay the taxes upfront. Scammers try to trick people into paying money to claim the prizes either through giving out their account information, debit card numbers, wires, crypto, or gift cards. Unfortunately, the people who are most affected by these types of scams are the elderly. These scammers prey upon elderly people, and it is very sad that the majority of them fall for it. These scammers are very convincing, but the red flags are everywhere. It seems as though their victims are more concerned about winning than thinking about the very real possibility they are being scammed, even when they lose hundreds of thousands of dollars in the process. The impact of these scams can be massive, people have turned their entire lives over to scammers and have lost everything. You can protect yourself and your loved ones from these types of scams by knowing how PCH really works, looking out for red flags, and (like I told a lady recently) if an unknown number calls you don’t answer.
Here are some key points about PCH scams:
- PCH will never ask you to pay any fees, taxes, or costs of any kind to claim a prize.
- If you enter the sweepstakes and win, PCH will notify you through certified mail or via the Prize Patrol. You will never receive phone calls, emails, or texts from PCH about large prizes.
- Scammers might ask for personal information such as account and routing number, debit or credit card number, or wiring instructions to process your supposed winnings.
- If you receive a notification claiming you have won any prize with PCH contact their customer service immediately to verify with them directly.
- Never pay to claim a prize. If it is something you won why would you have to pay for it?
- Always be cautious of unexpected contact from anyone, not just PCH.
Please talk to your elderly relatives, friends, and customers. Warn them about the dangers of these and all types of scams before they too fall victim. Always remember if you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.
Read more about a real-world scenario that occurred recently at the link below:
www.fox10tv.com/2025/02/08/fbi-arrests-jamaican-nationals-alleged-lottery-scam-out-baldwin-county
