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?
Danielle Lily Lam a so call agent has contacted me I told her she was a scammer and I was going to report her.
Hello Terena, that is a scammer posing as Danielle! The real Danielle doesn’t privately contact winners via Facebook and you never need to pay to claim a PCH prize. Do not give the scammer ANY of your personal information. 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 our Fraud Protection site to see how to stay safe: https://bit.ly/PCHFraudPrevention.
I just received a phone call from a man who kept telling me he was legitimately with pch. I had someone call me at least 4 times before so I’m not crazy. The phone number was from Cherry Hill, New Jersey but the number I was supposed to call was in Las Vegas. Is there no way to report them?
Hello Bonnie, 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! Stay safe and have fun!
Phooey; I thought it was too good to be true. Someone claiming from PCH wanted me to return a code on the text. I did not, but left a verbal message. I hope no one takes advantage of my voice with AI stuff. I also blocked and deleted the phone number without copying it.
Hello Joseph, We’re so happy that you knew that wasn’t the real PCH who contacted you. 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!
Someone who called himself “Mr. Graham” has called me several times since Friday to prepare me for the big prize winning photo op at my home in Norfolk VA. (512) 889-$$$$.
I am so grateful to have found this online. I am really grateful that I felt that of the Lord to check online as in my heart of hearts there were far too many questions.
Hello Dr. Washington, That is definitely a scam. Please report the scam letter you received at this link: http://bit.ly/Report-Scam-To-PCH. I also encourage you to check out these Safety Tips for some great info on what to watch for: https://bit.ly/FraudProtection2. Stay safe everyone!!
I rec’d several phone calls & a letter saying I’m a winner but they’re suspicious. The letter says call PCH agent at 845-850-$$$$ to collect $2.2 M. Please advise.
Hello Roselyn, We’re glad you knew that wasn’t the real PCH. As tempting as it may be, we don’t encourage anyone to engage a scammer any longer than is minimally necessary. Simply tell them you know they’re a scam and hang up. PCH doesn’t notify major winners by phone, standard mail, email, or social media, and we never ask for money to claim a prize. Please report all scam contacts to PCH via the following link: http://bit.ly/Report-Scam-To-PCH. Stay safe everyone and be careful of scammers pretending to be the REAL Prize Patrol!
Someone called me and said they were from PCH lost and found dept. Do you have such a dept, and that we have to pay to the FBI x amount of dollars to pay for stamps for bank account protection. They said you put the money in there for them to, dish it out.
Hello Nancy, Thank you very much for reporting the scammers that have contacted you. While it may be tempting, we don’t encourage you to interact with them any more than is minimally necessary. Simply tell them that you know they’re not the real PCH and hang up or disconnect your mode of contact with them. To stop scammers from contacting you on Facebook, check out this PCH Blog article: http://bit.ly/StopFBScammers. As a reminder, you can report scammers to PCH at this link: http://bit.ly/Report-Scam-To-PCH. Be careful and stay safe everyone!!
Enter to win Publishers Clearing House Gwy No 14299 $5,000.000.00 prize on December 27 2023.. Thank you Bruce.
I have been contacted 2 times today. I got a voicemail both times saying that I won 18.5 million dollars in the publisher’s clearing house sweepstakes. To call and give them a claim code. The claim code and phone number to call was different in each voicemail.
Hello Jamai, Please report all scam contacts to PCH via this link: http://bit.ly/Report-Scam-To-PCH. Stay safe and have fun everyone. We also encourage everyone to review the following Safety Tips to better protect themselves from being scammed: https://bit.ly/FraudProtection2. Please be careful everyone; don’t become a scammer’s victim!
I PLAY EVERYDAY AND I NEVER WON AND NEVER WILL WIN THAT IS WHAT I BELIEVE IS THAT TRUE? TELL ME NOW, MY FRIENDS SAY I WILL NOT WIN BUT I STILL PLAY AND WILL KEEP PLAYING. I LIKE TO PLAY IT, KEEP MY MIND OPEN NOT WORRY MUCH, AMEN.
I, was called this afternoon and was told I, had won 2.2 million dollars. Also he said that I, will be receiving a new vehicle as well. I, told the individual that PCH doesn’t contact or call. I listened to him he said that I, needed to pay tax’s on the new vehicle. I, told him to take those tax fees out of my winnings. He then hung up.