One of the most important things we do on the PCH blog is warn our friends about Publishers Clearing House scams! Unfortunately, PCH scams involving Green Dot MoneyPak prepaid cards are on the rise. Fraudsters have been attempting to use Green Dot MoneyPak prepaid cards to steal hard-earned money from innocent people, like you. Read on and discover how to protect yourself from being a victim of fraud!
In case you’re not familiar with them, Green Dot MoneyPak cards are prepaid cards that can be purchased at convenience stores and used in place of a credit card. Since they’re prepaid, if a scammer gets the code located under the scratch-off strip on the reverse side of the card, they can claim the money from the card very quickly. And once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.
Scam scenarios involving these cards might unfold in a variety of ways, but the gist is that scammers tell their victims that they have won the PCH sweepstakes, but they need to first pay a special “insurance” or “tax” by purchasing a Green Dot MoneyPak prepaid card for a specific amount of money and providing the number located under the scratch-off strip on the back of the card over the phone. However, these scammers are NOT from PCH and have NO intention of awarding any prizes.
Can YOU Spot A Scam?
Scenario # 1: You’ve just received an official-looking letter that states that you’ve won $1 Million and a new car from PCH. When you call the number on the letter, you’re asked to purchase two Green Dot MoneyPak Prepaid Cards for $500 each, scratch off the back and provide the number over the phone. The “representative” on the phone explains that it’s just “insurance” for prize delivery.
SCAM! If this happens to you, DON’T purchase a Green Dot MoneyPak card and DON’T give the scammer any personal information — even if he sounds sincere! Publishers Clearing House SuperPrizes are personally delivered by the Prize Patrol. Plus, you never, ever have to pay any amount of money to win a PCH prize — it’s the law!
Scenario #2: You receive a friend request on Facebook from someone who claims to be Dave Sayer of the PCH Prize Patrol. Later, you get a private message that states you’ve won $500,000 from PCH. You’re requested to purchase a Green Dot MoneyPak card in the amount of $500 and message him back the number located under the scratch-off strip on the back of the card to cover “taxes” on the prize.
SCAM! No one affiliated with the PCH Prize Patrol will ever send you a friend request over Facebook. If this happens to you, don’t accept the request or provide any personal information. You can even follow Danielle Lam’s steps to report a Publishers Clearing House scam on Facebook.
Remember friends, don’t fall for the Green Dot MoneyPak Prepaid Card scam! As always, if you receive a letter, a telephone call, an email or a social media “friend” request from someone claiming to be from the real PCH and you’re asked to pay a “fee” of any type to claim your prize…STOP! It’s a SCAM!
All the best,
Elaina R.
PCH Online Creative
Other blogs you may like:
How To Report Publishers Clearing House Scams on Facebook
A Personal Example of a Publishers Clearing House (PCH) Scam
