Hi blog readers! When we talk about scams and frauds, we often tell consumers to be wary of anyone who asks you to pay to claim a prize. That is one of the biggest red flags when it comes to identifying a scam. Remember: with Publishers Clearing House, and any legal sweepstakes, you NEVER have to pay any amount for any reason to claim a prize.
Well today we want to warn you about a new kind of PCH Scams involving prepaid cards. You see, some scammers are no longer directly asking victims for money for a fake prize – but they are still trying to get their hands on your hard-earned cash. Pre-paid card scams are being used more and more frequently to swipe victim’s money. And it all happens very quickly. Fortunately though, we’ve heard a lot about how these PCH scams work and can share that information with you to help you keep safe!
It often works like this: someone claiming to be a PCH representative contacts you and informs you that you’ve won a big PCH prize. But in order to claim that prize, you must go out to Walmart or a convenience store to purchase a prepaid card. You’re instructed to put a certain amount of money on the card and then provide the card number to the “reps.” Once these fraudsters have the card number, they’ll wipe the card clean of the money on it and disappear. You’ll never see your alleged prize OR the money spent on the card again. Yikes!
This scam has even spread to Facebook where imposters who are pretending to be the Prize Patrol are trying to trick fans like you into sending money! Take a look at the screenshot below from an imposter Dave Sayer on Facebook.
Blog readers, DO NOT FALL FOR THESE PCH SCAMS! Green Dot Money Pak is NOT associated with Publishers Clearing House in any way. So if you hear that name or receive a friend request from someone claiming to be a PCH Prize Patrol member who has pictures of the Green Dot card on his or her page and are telling you to send money, it’s definitely a SCAM! Remember that PCH would NEVER ask a winner to provide us with any money before claiming the prize. We’re giving the money to you, not the other way around!
So be alert, be vigilant, and be aware of the signs. And as always, if you’re ever in doubt, let us know! We’ll be happy to help.
Laura Wolfe @PCH
P.S. Remember, the only official PCH Prize Patrol page is the PCH Prize Patrol Fan Page on Facebook!
I got a call last Friday from someone claiming to be David Miller telling me I had won 2.5 million and a new Chevy Tahoe and, 35000 from and 5000 a month for many red flags. They wanted me to go to CVS and purchase green dot card for 499$ dollars, red flag. They keep calling telling me to call 1887771$$$$.
Hello Larry, We certainly take the issue of scams and the illegal use of our name by scammers very seriously; that’s why we regularly educate our fans on what they can do to protect themselves. Unfortunately, scammers aren’t always easy to locate since many of them operate out of country. You can do your part to help us by reporting all scam contacts that you receive. Here’s how to report scammers on Facebook: http://bit.ly/ReportPCHScamFB and all other scam contacts can be reported to PCH via this link: http://bit.ly/Report-Scam-To-PCH. It’s important to remember that the real PCH will never send you a private message or friend request, and we’ll never ask for money to claim a prize. I encourage you to take a look at this blog article for some great tips on how you can stop scammers from contacting you on Facebook: http://bit.ly/StopFBScammers.
I was called saying I won big money, they wanted me to go buy a green dot card send 200$, for the winnings. Thanks for verification!
Hello Ramona, That is definitely a scam. Winners will be notified through UPS delivery, Express mail, email or in person by our famous Prize Patrol at our option. We would never contact any of our winners in advance, nor will you have to pay any fees to receive your prize. If you have won:
A prize of less than $600, the winner will receive the check via regular male.
A prize of $600.00 to $9,999.99 in a calendar year, an affidavit of eligibility has to be notarized and returned back within 30 days and the check will then be sent out to you.
A prize of over $10,000 will be awarded by the famous Prize Patrol.
Please report all scam contacts to PCH via this link: http://bit.ly/Report-Scam-To-PCH. Thank you!!
I just received a call from James Peterson asking me to buy a Money Pack card so I could collect my 10 million dollar winnings. Lol, here is his number 360 436 $$$$ As I am a senior in a wheelchair and on oxygen due to my home burning down, I wanted to share this info so no one else falls for these scams. And I could tell from his voice he was from a foreign country by his inability to understand English well and his accent, somehow as soon as he said his name, I knew it was a scam.
Hello Lorena, PCH doesn’t notify our major prize winners via phone, standard mail, email, or social media, and we never ask for money to claim a prize. Please report any details you have about that scam contact to us at this link: http://bit.ly/Report-Scam-To-PCH. Stay safe and have fun everyone!
I received a call from 202-703-01$$ from a Paul that stated they were with PCH Sweepstakes and I should have received a brown envelope that stated I was a winner and would receive 950,000, 556,000, and 50,000 in cash with a blue Mercedes Benz; stating that 5 people would be with him (Bob, Paul, an FBI agent, a lawyer, and the tow truck driver bringing my car) and that they would be arriving at my home today with my winnings, but I would have to purchase a $395 green dot money park card to cover taxes. Is this legit?
Hi Sophia! 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://bit.ly/FraudProtection2. Please be careful everyone; don’t become a scammer’s victim.
I received a phone call that stated I had won a prize from publishers clearing house. Details are as follows:
– A certified check for 2,500,000.00 drawn on BANK OF AMERICA
– A 2022 chevy camaro in my choice of options and colors
– 3 months gas card only to be used in the camaro
– They gave me a 516 telephone number, a confirmation number and code, and a winning number
– Choice of private or public presentation
– 2 attorneys (who they named) would be with them to have documents signed
– $850.23 Processing and registration fee paid with $500.00 green dot money pack card
– The rest would be picked up by a sponsor, who would talk with me he had to use a security code on the next time we talked.
Hello Eura! 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. If you haven’t already done so, please 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://bit.ly/FraudProtection2. Please be careful everyone; don’t become a scammer’s victim!
So was it legit? I just got the same call.
I received a call today to load 4 greendot cards to receive a PCH prize. They used Dave Sayer’s name. I called PCH and was told they never call. These people are very official sounding. I am happy that I am a naturally skeptical person. Thank you for posting this information.
Hello Barbara, 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. If you haven’t already done so, please 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://bit.ly/FraudProtection2. Please be careful everyone; don’t become a scammer’s victim!
I have had 8 phone calls in the last 25 minutes from a NY #. INSISTING that i go buy one of these cards.
Hi there! The real PCH doesn’t notify our major prize winners via phone, standard mail, email, or social media, and we never ask for money to claim a prize. Please report any details you have about that scam contact to us at this link: http://bit.ly/Report-Scam-To-PCH. I also encourage you to check out these Safety Tips for some great info on what to watch for: https://bit.ly/FraudProtection2. Stay safe everyone!!
I’ve been scammed my four different imposter each one has pch hook up . They told me I won as well
Hi Antwan! 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://bit.ly/FraudProtection2. Please be careful everyone; don’t become a scammer’s victim.
Good morning PCH… got to be in it to win it and never know I might be the next winner I need to win
I receive a call that I won 5.5 million dollars
Hello Rose, 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. If you haven’t already done so, please 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: http://bit.ly/PCH-Safety-Tips. Please be careful everyone; don’t become a scammer’s victim!
Hi Kathy! Please be careful, that’s a scammer 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. 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!