Here on the PCH Blog, we do our very best job to keep you safe. Unfortunately, as we’ve told you before, there are scammers out there trying to trick innocent people all over the country into thinking they have won money or prizes from PCH. One of the BIGGEST scams that victims fall for are phone calls claiming to be from Publishers Clearing House. That’s why today, we’re answering the question “Are Publishers Clearing House winners notified by phone?”
The answer, of course, is NO. We NEVER notify our major SuperPrize winners by telephone that they have won. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again, there’s only ONE way you’ll know if you’ve won a major prize from Publishers Clearing House – and that’s if the Prize Patrol comes to your home and hands you a Big Check!
Imagine you get a phone call from someone claiming to work at Publishers Clearing House notifying you that you have just won One Million Dollars! Exciting, right? We can imagine how tempting it would be to believe, and we know how REAL the scammer can make it all sound. But please folks, do NOT be fooled!
Always remember: PCH NEVER notifies major prize winners through the phone! If you DO receive a phone call from someone claiming that you’ve won a major prize with Publishers Clearing House, it’s a sure-fire sign that you are the victim of a scam. Another warning sign is that scammers will almost always ask you to send money to claim your prize. Don’t forget, at Publishers Clearing House, the winning is ALWAYS 100% FREE, and we NEVER ask for money to claim a prize.
So what do you do if YOU receive a scam call? Please fill out our Fraud/Scam Incident Report as soon as possible. And of course, we URGE YOU to take care of yourself and watch closely for signs of scams! Remember, phone calls aren’t the only way someone can be scammed. Scammers will also send PCH friend requests on Facebook, email, text or private message people to tell them they’ve won – in addition to sending phony letters which may contain fake checks – all other ways we NEVER communicate with SuperPrize winners.
If you remember these tips, you’ll be sure to keep yourself and your families protected from scams like these. Thanks for reading and stay safe!
Dillon H.
Promotion Development
P.S. Why not share this blog with your friends and family members to help keep them informed, too? Thanks for helping us in the fight against scammers!
I received a phone call this morning claiming to be John Fisher and that I’d won $300,000. It was before 7 am and I hung up on him. He immediately called back, asking why I’d hung up. I told him that PCH does not do business like this and I hung up again. The number is now blocked.
Hi Theresa! 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.
The report page says that it can’t be reached. A man is calling me saying that I have won a Mercedes and 4 million dollars. I had to sign a non disclosure statement and he is supposed to send me another form tomorrow. He wants me to open an account at a credit union. He said that the sponsor is paying all expenses.
Hello Kathleen, 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 had two different calls from people pretending to be part of PCH and telling me I have won major prize with two different numbers and ID NUMBERS. Argh! Thanks for keeping us informed of scams. I looked this up. Glad I didn’t call.
I received a voice-mail from 646-###-####. The person said they were Danielle. No, I did not return the call.
Hello David, 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 just got a call from phone number 888 ### 8802 and they said that I have won 3.5 million dollars
Hi Monte, 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 tried clicking on the link to report a call I just received but it won’t open. How can I report it?
Hi Christi! 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.
I got a phone call for a man claming to be from PCH . He said they have been trying to contact us, by mail. and email. And that we won some money. I never recived any email. or letter. I would not give him any information over the phone. I knew this was a scam. I knew I didnt win anything, because I did not enter. And I did not see your van pulling in my driveway. I will warn my friends about a call like this.
Hi Rosemary, thanks for the heads up! 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.
Hmm, I am currently speaking with a Mr Bradshaw and he’s claiming that I am a major prize winner. He has asked me on what details I want on a Mercedes that I have won. Hasn’t asked for money, but I am well aware of that sort of stuff. The only thing I am questioning is that he’s asking for front and back pictures of my driver’s license… The number he’s using is 2408250367. Should I ignore this?
Hello Joe, 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!!
Is this cash that needs to be deposited directly into my bank account from a sweep stakes
Hello Linda, 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 by phone at your convenience. Our customer service representatives may be reached at http://bit.ly/ContactPCH between 8:30 am to 11:00 pm EST, Monday through Friday and 8:30 am to 5 pm EST Saturdays. We look forward to hearing from you.
Does winning a sweep stakes
From pch ask for bank account an routing information
Hello Linda, 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 by phone at your convenience. Our customer service representatives may be reached at http://bit.ly/ContactPCH between 8:30 am to 11:00 pm EST, Monday through Friday and 8:30 am to 5 pm EST Saturdays. We look forward to hearing from you.