I’m sharing a personal example of a Publishers Clearing House (PCH) Scam in hopes that it will help you fans stay safe!
Just last week I was contacted by a scammer on Facebook pretending to be Dave Sayer. When I first saw the friend request, I immediately thought it was weird. I’m already friends with Dave on Facebook, I thought. But still, there was Dave’s happy face smiling at me in the profile photo, and for a second, I thought it was real…and I almost accepted.
These scammers are clever. Very clever. They almost fooled me, and I’m a Publishers Clearing House employee and frequent contributor to the blog. I’ve read story after story about these terrible PCH scams. I know the telltale warning signs. But when you’re in the moment, it’s very easy to forget and become overwhelmed by the excitement of it all.
Because that’s the thing — it IS exciting. I mean who wouldn’t feel a little giddy getting a friend request or personal message from one of the Prize Patrol Elite? THEY want to talk to ME? How cool. Especially when it all seems SO legitimate. I mean for starters, it’s Dave’s picture. His official Prize Patrol photo. And on his page are actual Prize Patrol posts. Things you would see or have seen on the official Prize Patrol page.
But what’s important to remember is that these are NOT real Prize Patrol pages, and these scammers are illegally taking these photos and information off the real page. Even though it can seem real or be exciting in the moment, it’s not. It’s a Publishers Clearing House scam, and these people are using the good Publishers Clearing House name to hurt you and go after your hard-earned money.
I’m sharing my personal story with you today in hopes that you all will remember it and not be fooled by these Publishers Clearing House scams. Please, please, please remember to take a minute and really think about what’s happening before you make any moves. And always remember the telltale signs:
• The REAL Publishers Clearing House Prize Patrol NEVER sends friend requests or private messages on Facebook.
• The REAL Publishers Clearing House Prize Patrol NEVER contacts winners through Facebook.
• The REAL Publishers Clearing House Prize Patrol NEVER asks for money. At PCH, the winning is ALWAYS FREE!
DON’T FALL FOR THESE SCAMS! Even if a scammer uses what looks like a real Prize Patrol photo, the only real Prize Patrol page is this:
Stay safe everyone…and when in doubt, ASK US if you have any questions!
Amanda C.
PCH Creative
Do you suggest that A new bank account be open with a zero balance so that the prize money can be sent?
Hi Stewart, we would never ask that. It sounds like you’ve been contacted by a scammer. 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, or personal or banking information 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!
What if u moved and u won will the phc contact you
Hello Shawon, At Publishers Clearing House your Satisfaction is our number one priority. If we can be of further assistance, please contact us at https://bit.ly/ContactPCH. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.
Hi, Amanda.
I just received a letter and a check and was told to call the Claim Manager to register the check I received. How do I now if this is a scam?
Hello Elaine, 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.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 received a phone call from a man with an accent saying he was Dave Sayers from PCH and I had won millions of dollars, but I needed to purchase a Money Pack Greendot scratch card. I listened to his conversation and then he told me to keep my line open until I got to Walgreen. He then told me to purchase two Money Packs and do not tell them what the purchase was for and if I had to, tell them it’s for a relative! (red flag for me.) I did not purchase anything. He kept telling me not to get a third party involved. (another red flag) I chose to ignore him especially when he tried to convince me to keep quiet and lie about what I was purchasing the MoneyPack for. It is scary and they are very clever. Anyone who receives a call such as this one asking to pay for a prize and keep quiet about it, hang up. There were two phone numbers: $$$ $$$-$$$$ ext $$$$ and $$$ $$$-$$$$, Dave Sayers. He also sent a photo, but I don’t believe that Dave Sayers have an accent. His accent was very hard to understand. Hang up or don’t answer.
Hi Florene! 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. 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!
We had 3 calls from a John who gave me his ID# of 841727PCH. He was telling me that I won $3.7 million, a Lincoln Navigator, and $5,000 a week for life. I hung up, he called right back, and my husband talked to him for nearly half an hour. The phone cut off and he called right back. He was using a George Kennedy extension. He didn’t ask for money or bank numbers, which we would not give him anyway, but said he would call back in the AM to tell us when we could expect the check. The car is to be delivered tomorrow to our driveway. This John said he was the Manager for the Claims division. (We are not holding our breaths or have not spent the money!!)
Hello Sally! 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 just received a call from a person named John Goodman telling me I won 5.5 million and a Mercedes Benz then gave me the winning ticket number telling me that Steve Harvey would be arriving to give me the money and car then proceed to telling me that I have to get a card for $500 for gift tax reservation I didn’t have the money to give so he said I can get it when I have money. Is this a scam to me it is
Hello Kandi! 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 was contacted by PCH John Micheals, badge number2229. . I had won first place this month a new car 5000 cash and 2 bewigged cases full of money. Wanted me to purchase a government cleansing card…. AKA green dot money pal seat holder card. Wanted loaded 300, They are on their way to my house and I was to give to the Marshall to process my winnings. I haven’t called them back to tell them I am home, wonder what they will do. Okay they just called me said I was to take a picture of card scratched and send it to them, I said I would when they got here, then I asked if they had my address. He hung up. Damn guess I didn’t win first pkace
Hi Amy, we’re sorry to hear you’ve been contacted by a scammer. 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.
Got a call from a Joe Petio saying that I won $800.000 from you folks . His number ha gave me was his number(he said he was the attorney from PCH. The number is ### ### 6490
Hi Vera, 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!
Do you have a person by the name of DanialJames ??
Hello Johnny, please be aware that 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 all 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 have been contacted by a PCH DAVID JAMES who says he works for PCH and is trying to deliver a PKG to me from my winnings at PCH and a car, $5,000 for life, etc. etc. Not falling for it.
Hello Shelvia, 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!!