PCH CONSUMER AFFAIRS ALERT: BEWARE OF SCAMS PRETENDING TO BE PCH
The name Publishers Clearing House is such a well recognized brand, welcomed and trusted in so many homes, that it is often illegally used by scam artists in an attempt to fraudulently con consumers for the sole purpose of soliciting cash. PCH would like to remind you to BEWARE OF SCAMS posing as legitimate sweepstakes. Scammers may email you or send you a letter ‘claiming’ to be from Publishers Clearing House. Oftentimes, scammers may send out real-looking checks in an attempt to get you to send money. Using a variety of false promises, the scammers will ultimately ask you to send money in order to claim a non-existent prize. If you receive such a contact, DO NOT send or wire money! At Publishers Clearing House the winning is always FREE and it is never necessary to pay any money to enter or win our famous PCH Sweepstakes!
PCH has been actively attacking scams like these working with law enforcement and undertaking a number of comprehensive consumer protection programs. From an educational standpoint we have posted alerts in our mail and on our website at pch.com. We have recorded anti-scam messages on our toll-free customer service lines reminding all callers that if it is not free it is not a legitimate prize. We ask consumers to provide us details of the scams and PCH keeps track of these reported incidents through a comprehensive anti-scam database. Working closely with law enforcement and consumer protection groups, we continually share information with these valued partners in an effort to assist in targeting scammers and attempting to bring them to justice. Among others, PCH has worked closely with the Federal Trade Commission, Postal Inspection Service, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the US Attorney’s Office. We are also pleased to be a member of the Consumer Federation of America’s Fake Check Task Force that brings together leading industry, consumer protection and not-for-profit groups to brainstorm on efforts to target and reduce these scams.
PCH is pleased to add a new weapon in the fight against fraud by becoming a designated contributor to the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel Database Network. Consumer Sentinel, maintained by the FTC, is a secure online database of consumer complaints available only to law enforcement. Law enforcement officials from all around the country use the information in this national database to enhance and coordinate sweepstakes fraud investigations. Publishers Clearing House is proud to be one of a select group of corporate entities that contributes to the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Database!
Remember, if you receive a contact from someone claiming to be from Publishers Clearing House, and you are asked to send or wire money to claim a prize, DO NOT! If you believe you have been the victim of a fraudulent contact using the name of Publishers Clearing House, please report it using our Scam Incident Report.
At PCH we care about consumers and are committed to helping you stay safe, informed and protected!
Sincerely,
Margaret Crossan
PCH Consumer Affairs Department
