Hi blog readers! Have you ever received a message from someone who claims to work for PCH? Maybe the message notified you that you won a big prize. Maybe it told you that you needed to pay money to claim that prize. Unfortunately, these messages are Publishers Clearing House scams! They are not from the real Publishers Clearing House. We’ve done a lot here on the blog to try to alert you to these PCH scams, but we thought it might be helpful to provide you with some excerpts from actual scams that were sent by fraudsters illegally using the PCH name, in order to dupe you.
Before we get started, here are few important things to remember: You NEVER have to pay to claim a PCH prize. Winners of our larger prize award amounts are surprised in person by the Prize Patrol, NOT sent messages on Facebook or emails like this. Publishers Clearing House scams often have MANY spelling and grammatical errors. Try to read them out loud … you’ll see how nonsensical they sound. An official PCH message would not be written like that!
Let’s get started!
This message is not from PCH, it is a PCH SCAM! How can you tell?
For starters, none of the above or these contest details are legitimate. If you were to ask a PCH employee about a “Super Bucks Giveaway,” we would be quick to tell you it does not exist. Also, we are in no way associated with the U.S. Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission. AND if you were to use PCHSearch&Win to research that supposed government authority, you would find that it does not even exist in the U.S.
This message is not from PCH, it is a PCH SCAM! How can you tell?
Again, the grammar is off in many places. Just a few examples: “you are been advised,” and “your fund remitted to your account”. Plus, take a look at how the prize amount is written: “$1.200,000.00”. There’s a decimal instead of a comma after the “1”.
This message is not from PCH, it is a PCH SCAM! How can you tell?
They repeated the “this is part of our security protocol” sentence TWICE within the same paragraph! Also, PCH never asks you to keep quiet about your winnings. Quite the opposite! We’re always proudly posting pictures and videos of our winners! But the scammers want you to stay quiet so they can get your money without the authorities finding out.
This message is not from PCH, it is a PCH SCAM! How can you tell?
It’s easy! This message contains the BIGGEST red flag — it asks you to pay money to claim your prize. Remember: you NEVER have to pay or make any purchase to claim a prize from Publishers Clearing House. Also, if you ever hear/see the words “GREEN DOT MONEY PAK CARD” in a message from someone claiming to be from Publishers Clearing House, head for the hills! The scammers will take the account numbers from this card, cash the money you spent on it, and never award you the prize, because there never was a real prize — they are scammers.
There you have it folks. These are just a few ways you can spot PCH scams! As always, you should always verify the information in any winner notification you may receive before making any risky moves. And if you ever have any questions, let us know!
Stay safe everyone!
Laura Wolfe @ PCH
Received a letter and check today saying I had won. The letter signed by Deborah Holland, EVP PCH. Instructions to call Mr Deryl M Wilbrooks immediately and in secret at $$$-$$$-$$$$. I believe I may have another fraudulent letter. Can you tell me for sure?
Hi Judy, that’s definitely a scam. It’s important to remember that PCH does not contact winners of a major prize via phone, text, email, mail, or on Social Media. Also, if anyone asks you for money for any reason to claim a prize, you can be sure they’re a scammer. Please don’t call that number, and don’t give them any money or personal information! Scammers are very sneaky and will use our good name and reputation to try to deceive people. Stopping them is a team effort so please report any and all scam contacts you receive to PCH at this link: http://bit.ly/Report-Scam-To-PCH. We provide numerous videos, blogs, and tips to recognize these scammers here: https://info.pch.com/fraud-protection. Stay safe!
An attempted scam came by telephone. A male presnting himself as Mr Webster, Badge #$$$$$$,is attempting to award me 5.5million dollars; delivery code $$$$$$$. After several calls, trying to convince me that I needed to get a gift card, and put $500 DOLLARS in it, he made a mistake, let me know that his first name is Timothy; and gave me a new badge #$$$$$$$. Den
Hi Denmar, we’re sorry to hear the scammers are bothering you. Please report all contacts from scammers to PCH via this link: http://bit.ly/Report-Scam-To-PCH. PCH does partner with the Federal Trade Commission and we send all scam reports to them so please make sure you let us know anytime a scammer contacts you. Remember, the real PCH never notifies major prize winners via phone, standard mail, email, or social media, and we never ask winners to pay to claim their prize. You can see more Safety Tips here: https://info.pch.com/fraud-protection. Stay safe!
I received 3 telephone messages saying that my name was drawn for a second place prize of $18.5M, or $7,000.00 per week for life. The called mentioned Mr. Sayers’ name. They left a call back number and winning ticket number the call back number was 888-440-$$$$. They provided me with my winning ticket numbers, 77 ,11.
Hello Peggy, We will never ask for money to claim a prize. We also don’t notify winners via phone, standard mail, email, or social media. Please report all scam contacts to PCH via this link: http://bit.ly/Report-Scam-To-PCH. We encourage everyone to review the following Safety Tips to better protect themselves from being scammed: https://bit.ly/FraudProtection2. Stay safe everyone!
Dear Sirs,
I just received a call saying I won $7 million and they want me to mail a check to them for $1000.00. !!
I am so glad that I remembered that I had come across your article and kept it. !! This is unbelievable!!
I’m so glad I kept your article n read it after this phone call. It went down exactly as your article exclaimed it !
As of two weeks ago I have been talking with A Mike Williams of PCH. I’ve had to deal with my bank account being ceased from a four thousand dollars over draft to Mike Williams of PCH.
Hi David! I’m sorry to tell you that was a scammer, not the real PCH. It’s important to remember that PCH does not contact winners of a major prize via phone, text, email, mail, or on Social Media. Also, if anyone asks you for money for any reason to claim a prize, you can be sure they’re a scammer. Scammers are very sneaky and will use our good name and reputation to try to deceive people. Stopping them is a team effort so please report any and all scam contacts you receive to PCH at this link: http://bit.ly/Report-Scam-To-PCH. We provide numerous videos, blogs, and tips to recognize these scammers here: https://info.pch.com/fraud-protection. Stay safe!
Received an e-mail this morning saying I won $2,000,000.00 dollars. What a joke, I knew right away it was a scam. They wanted name, address, phone no. and you would not ask. Just thought you and everyone one else should be aware. Gail
Hi Gail, thanks for the heads up! Please report them to PCH via this link: http://bit.ly/Report-Scam-To-PCH. PCH does partner with the Federal Trade Commission and we send all scam reports to them so please make sure you let us know anytime a scammer contacts you. Remember, the real PCH never notifies major prize winners via phone, standard mail, email, or social media, and we never ask winners to pay to claim their prize. You can see more Safety Tips here: https://info.pch.com/fraud-protection. Stay safe!
Received a voice mall from $$$-$$$-$$$$ stating that I have won 4.7 million dollars and a car. Have been taking part in this years program very seriously and this seems like a scam. Thanking you in advance for your help. Ron M$$$$$.
Hi Ronald, that’s definitely a scammer. You can report them to PCH via this link: http://bit.ly/Report-Scam-To-PCH. PCH does partner with the Federal Trade Commission and we send all scam reports to them so please make sure you let us know anytime a scammer contacts you. Remember, the real PCH never notifies major prize winners via phone, standard mail, email, or social media, and we never ask winners to pay to claim their prize. You can see more Safety Tips here: https://info.pch.com/fraud-protection. Stay safe!
My sister Kerri got a PCH Prize winning of 450,000 dollars and she was supposed to pay a prize claim, but it was way worse than that they tried to get her ID and password which is illegal. Just putting it out there for others to see they used the phone number $$$-$$$-$$$$, and the name was James L. they sent the mail from $$ L$$$$$$$$, $$$$ C$$$$$$ Rd, P$$$$$$$$$$$ FL $$$$$. Be careful of your surroundings and your mailbox contents.
Hi Laurie! That’s a scammer that contacted your sister, not the real PCH. It’s important to remember that PCH does not contact winners of a major prize via phone, text, email, mail, or on Social Media. Also, if anyone asks you for money for any reason to claim a prize, you can be sure they’re a scammer. Please don’t give them any money, or any personal information! Scammers are very sneaky and will use our good name and reputation to try to deceive people. Stopping them is a team effort so please report any and all scam contacts you receive to PCH at this link: http://bit.ly/Report-Scam-To-PCH. We provide numerous videos, blogs, and tips to recognize these scammers here: https://info.pch.com/fraud-protection. Stay safe!
I was contacted almost two years ago by a Mr. John Cox Who says he works for PCH in the department that locates winners who no longer live at the address that PCH has for them.
In others words the winner moved leaving no forwarding address.
He says his badge # is R32AC. He has been calling me every day from 3 different phone numbers and here they are: 318-722-$$$$, 805-235-$$$$, and 304-503-$$$$. He is telling me that my prize package cannot be delivered even though all the paperwork and monies have been paid because the State Marshal has my package held up in Virginia.
Mr. Cox also says he has a man name Peter Mour who works with him and is in Virginia Beach with my package until the State Marshal’s office releases it.
Additionally, he has someone named Bobby Jones who is also helping him.
He gave me my package # at one point but I cannot find it.
Is any of this true?
Hello Janice, Thank you very much for reporting the scammers that have contacted you. Simply tell them that you know they’re not the real PCH and hang up or disconnect your mode of contact with them. You can report scammers to PCH at this link: http://bit.ly/Report-Scam-To-PCH. Be careful and stay safe everyone!!
Hi, I was contacted by an Agent Williams, saying that he is with PCH. Told me I have won $800,000 and a new car. He was going to deposit $10,000 in my bank account to cover the taxes and delivery fee. I think he’s from Indianapolis. This is the number he’s been texting me from: 1-$$$-$$$-$$$$.
Hi Cassandra, I’m sorry to say that is not the real PCH calling you, it’s a scammer that’s only pretending to be from PCH. Please do not call that number, do not give the scammer any personal info including bank account information, and definitely do not send them any money if they ask. Make sure to report that scam contact to us via the following link: http://bit.ly/Report-Scam-To-PCH. I encourage you to read these Safety Tips too: https://info.pch.com/fraud-protection. Stay safe!