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5 Ways To Know If It’s A Publishers Clearing House Scam!

4_5_Spot A Publishers Clearing House Scam

 

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

Elaina R.
PCH Online Creative

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Comments

  1. Person named Donald F$$$$$$ PCH said I’m a big winner.
    8.5 mil, new MB White plus gas card bonus 5k mo. For six mo.
    $495.00 check refundable was all l need to provide.

    1. Hi LD! 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. 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!

  2. A number from Abilene, TX keeps calling (for 4 weeks). I finally answered the call and “Micheal Anderson” (notice spelling of Michael) $ ($$$) $$$-$$$$, to notify me I won $4.7 million and a 2023AMG Mercedes Benz SLK Pearl White, and need to call back right away, $ ($$$) $$$-$$$$… no info was given except wife’s name $$$ and our address for presentation purposes??!
    Please advise.

    1. Hi Mike! 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!

  3. New professional scam as of June 1, 2023. Located in your building 300 Jericho Quadrangle, Dept. 300, Jericho, NY 11753. Claim Manager Mr. Todd Sloane. Very professional documents and phone contact. Demands 2.5% Gift Tax up front. Phone: $$$-$$$-$$$$. Can you shut them down quickly?
    Let me know what’s happening. They’re going to scam a lot of people.

    1. Hi Wil! 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!

  4. …I’ve got one don’t know if it’s real or not guy says they are coming today and I have to go to wal greens first to get a claimer card? Or something? Said they will be here by 12 have given him no information and he hasn’t asked for any so I thought that was weird any suggestions? Is it legit?…

    1. Hi Mike! What you’re describing is a common scam. Just so you know, you never have to pay a fee to claim a prize you may have won from PCH, for any reason. It’s important to know also that PCH does not contact winners of a major prize privately via phone, text, email, mail, or on Social Media. If anyone asks you for money or to get a gift card 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! You can read more about these kinds of scams here: https://info.pch.com/fraud-protection. If you do have a scammer contact you please report them to us at this link: https://bit.ly/Report-Scam-To-PCH. Have a great day, and stay safe!

  5. A “Gentleman“, Joe Diamond has been calling claiming that I have won “8.8 million” in a second place prize. He is very demanding that I give him extra personal information. I have said to send me any winnings less any fees, he says they can’t do that. He will not accept my request for him to not call.
    What do I need to do to stop his constant calling?? I have blocked his number but he still calls. His number is ($$$ $$$-$$$$) which does not show up on a general search. What does a person need to do???

    1. Hi Thomas! We’re very 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!

  6. I have a gentleman saying he’s from a PCH and he wants money upfront so I can get my prize. Thank you for your information and details now I know the truth. Thank you so much for letting me know.

    1. Hi Robert! 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. You may also reach out by using our Digital Assistant that can be found at the link we provided. We look forward to hearing from you!

  7. The one we got today claimed my father had won 2nd place and wanted a bank account number, either of a new account opened just for the deposit or an existing account so they could deposit the funds. They spoke to my mother and knew the names of her children and quite a bit of information already.

    1. Hi Elizabeth, we’re sorry to hear the scammers are bothering your parents. Please do your part and 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!

  8. I was contacted by phone from ? PCH saying I won. I only have a PO Box as an address that I use. Would that be a reason to call. My physical address does exist. If it’s true can someone call me and give me instructions as to what to do.
    Leslie L$$$$$$$$$. $$$-$$4-$$$$.

    1. Hi Leslie! That was not the real PCH calling you, it was 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!

  9. I received a letter from PCH stating that I have won 2nd place for 2.5 million dollars. Enclosed with the letter is a check for $7,930.00 for insurance and attorney fees. I am being asked to call the claims manager at 1-$$$-$$$-$$$$ or 1-$$$-$$$-$$$$ before depositing the check. I was given a security code PCH-$$$$$$$-$$$.
    Doesn’t seem legit.

    1. Hi George! You are right to question that – it’s 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 give them any money, or any personal information! You can report them to us at this link: https://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!