Publishers Clearing House is the REAL deal― a legitimate sweepstakes company that has awarded more than $225 Million in Cash and Prizes so far! Unfortunately, sometimes criminals try to cash in on our good name and trick unsuspecting people like you with Publishers Clearing House Scams. While they may be convincing, here are 5 foolproof ways to know for sure if an offer is from the REAL PCH — or if it’s a Publishers Clearing House Scam.
1. If you’re required to wire or pay any amount of money in order to claim a prize, it’s a Publishers Clearing House Scam. PCH sweepstakes are ALWAYS FREE to enter, and there is never any fee associated with winning.
2. If you’re asked to load up a Green Dot MoneyPak or other money transfer card, in exchange for claiming your prize, it’s a Publishers Clearing House Scam. Again, PCH will NEVER ask you to pay a cent to collect a prize.
3. If someone tries to contact you in advance regarding a prize delivery, it’s a Publishers Clearing House Scam! After all, that would ruin the surprise! For decades, our Prize Patrol has captured the elated reactions of surprised winners and used them in our nationally-televised commercials. You’ll know you’re a big PCH winner if you see the Prize Patrol at your front door holding a “Big Check” with your name on it!
4. If someone calls you on the telephone claiming to be from Publishers Clearing House and says you have won, it’s a Publishers Clearing House Scam. Do NOT give them any personal information! As stated above, the Prize Patrol awards all our Big Prizes in person and would never call you to update any personal information in our files.
5. If someone claiming to be from Publishers Clearing House tries to send you a friend request on Facebook, it’s a Publishers Clearing House Scam. Even if they are using the name and photo of a prominent PCH employee ―do NOT believe them. Our PCH employees and official PCH Prize Patrol Fan pages will never private message you on Facebook.
So fans, keep these 5 tips in mind, and you’ll be protected against Publishers Clearing House Scams. If you have more questions about whether something is legitimate or a scam, please visit our FAQ page. And if you’ve been contacted by a scammer, please fill out a Scam Incident Report.
And remember, you can’t WIN if you’re not IN! So, keep entering the PCH Sweepstakes daily.
All the best!
Elaina R.
PCH Online Creative
P.S. If you found this post helpful, why not SHARE it with a friend?
I was just scammed by some guy. I think they like to prey on senior citizens, so beware! All of the past scenarios you have here, are what we went through. He phone called me and his name was Mark Wilson. They were supposedly coming to our house!
Hello Paul! 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’m trying to fill out a scam report and it’s not letting me. The information I have, I got a call from a person named John Washington. He said his ID number is 66068180. Told me I would win 7000 per week a 2021 Mercedes $2.5 million asked if I would be at home for delivery at 11:30 tomorrow. Check number 00508771 what do I need to do next?
Hello Michelle, Thank you for contacting PCH. In order for us to assist you with your question we will need a bit more information. We kindly ask that you contact us at your convenience. Our customer service representatives may be reached at http://bit.ly/ContactPCH. We look forward to hearing from you.
I was contacted by phone from a New York number, someone named Mr. Dave Sayer, He was going to send two dozen red roses and some chocolates.
I was informed I won a huge amount and a car. A Mercedes-Benz GLE.
Hello Beverly, That is a scammer pretending to be Dave Sayer- not the real Dave Sayer! The real Prize Patrol never sends friend requests, winner notifications or private messages on Facebook and you never need to pay to claim a prize. Do not give the scammer ANY of your personal information or any money! Please report this scam to us by completing a scam incident report. Click this link to find out how: https://bit.ly/Report-Scam-To-PCH. Check out this blog to find out how to prevent them from contacting you: https://bit.ly/StopFBScammers.
Yes it was very helpful. I just received a voice mail from Todd J$$$$, and their number is $$$ $$$-$$$$, and they asked me to call them back because I won a big prize. I called the number and was told to leave my number and they would call me back. I did not leave anything I just hung up!
Thank you again for this information. Roxanne F$$$$.
Hi Roxanne, we’re glad you could tell that wasn’t the real 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!
Hi – I need your help asap. Via Facebook / messenger, I’ve been in contact with AGENT Derrick Clark who seems to be associated with PCH. He has indicated that I am a winner and has been asking me for personal information including a google voice account confirmation code, which I probably should not have provided. A friend had said I was on the list and gave me contact information. I’d love for this to be real and he seems genuine but I know accounts can get hacked and I really don’t want to get scammed… It’s hard to know who to trust and I am hopeful to get a positive confirmation from you because I couldn’t otherwise find any way to get contact with PCH directly. Many thanks for clarification about whether this is real and what info PCH can ask people for over the phone.
Hi Daniel! That is definitely a scammer who contacted you. PCH will never send friend requests, private messages, or winner notifications via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.; we also never ask for money to claim a prize. Do not give this person any personal information and certainly do not send them any money! Instead, report them to PCH by completing a Scam Incident Report. Here’s how: http://bit.ly/Report-Scam-To-PCH. Check out this FAQ for info on how to stop scammers from contacting you on Facebook: http://bit.ly/StopFBScammers. Please be careful everyone; don’t become a scammer’s victim!
I’m being harassed by someone named Kimberly & Michael, a couple more. They now say I have to pay $2500.00. And if I won like $5,000/$10,000 I don’t have to pay anything, also they are asking for $2,500 because I won real big and a car too!
Hi Tracy! 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 just received a call from Dave Sayers saying I won 2nd place in Publishers Clearing House. The amount is 1.5 Million Dollars, however I need to go to Walmart or Dollar General and get an American Express Card and put $445 on it for the package fee claim award. I was given a code number and was told to call him back when I get the card. I will be awarded tomorrow at noon.
Hello Wanda! 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 received a message from a phone call saying I won third place prize in a sweepstakes, he called back and told me he was Tod Sloane and that I had won $3.5 Million dollars and $5000 a month and a new Mercedes Benz. But I have to pay the taxes before I could receive the prize and that he was going to pay my credit cards off. He gave me the claim number and the package number. He is supposed to call and see if I could get the tax money before I would receive the winnings.
Hello Ronald! 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 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 received a check for $16,000 and a letter from Publishing Clearance House stating that I won $600,000 and that the check would cover the taxes and fees. It also says that I would receive the money in monthly installments of $25,000 per month for two years. This letter looks like an official letter from PCH. Can you advise me if this is a scam or not??
Hello ChaJuana! That is definitely a scam. That is a fake check and you will be out the money if you try to deposit it. PCH would never request that you send money in order to claim a prize. Please report the scam letter you received 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!!
Received a letter today from PCH? Says I won $2,500,000.00! A picture of a Mrs. Deborah Holland Executive VP. and my agent, Mr. William Cochrane, who I am supposed to call at 800 725 **** or 845 813 ****. I’m guessing this is a scam, correct?
Had an address on the letter head; 300 Jericho Quadrangle suite 300
Jericho NY 11753. Sent on 11/21/22
Hello Anthony! That is definitely a scam. PCH would never request that you send money in order to claim a prize. Please report the scam letter you received 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!!