As our fans well know, Publishers Clearing House is a famous brand notorious for handing out massive sums of money. Unfortunately, because PCH is such a recognizable name tied to big-money winners, this dynamic lends itself to different Publishers Clearing House impersonator scams and swindlers using our good name.
While Publishers Clearing House has been a reputable company for nearly 70 years, PCH scams do exist. Because of this lamentable fact, we want to show you what to look out for so that you can avoid these kinds of frauds and how to protect yourself from Publishers Clearing House impersonator scams that emerge from time to time.
On that note, let’s take a look at how to stay safe against potential PCH impersonator scams.
Staying Safe from PCH Impersonator Scams
While there are different kinds of PCH impersonator scams, the thing that each Publishers Clearing House impersonator scam shares in common is that they contact fans stating that they have won a prize, likely a considerable amount of money.
The fact is that Publishers Clearing House will never contact major prize winners to let you know that you have won money. When PCH fans win big, we show up at their house unannounced, cameras rolling, so that we can capture their big moment. PCH will not contact you via social media, phone call, text message, or similar means of outreach.
In the event that PCH does contact a winner, it will be one who won $10,000 or less, and that will typically be done via an overnight express carrier such as UPS, FedEx or USPS Express Mail.
Therefore, to stay safe from PCH impersonator scams, you will want to make sure that you never post your personal information online (such as address, social security number, birth date, phone number, etc.) and to never give over your bank account information to someone claiming to be from Publishers Clearing House.
On that note, let’s take a moment to talk about the kinds of PCH impersonator scams that our fans might encounter.
Publishers Clearing House Impersonator Scam Types
As it stands, there are several types of PCH impersonator scams that fraudsters will utilize.
The first is an attempt to retrieve personal information from a person, including some of the things mentioned earlier (social security number, address, date of birth, etc.). In essence, these people are looking to commit identity fraud. Therefore, you should never give out any of this information online, particularly to those who are claiming to be from PCH.
The second kind of Publishers Clearing House impersonator scam involves trying to extract money from a person. This can be done in a couple of different ways.
The first is that the scammer will ask for your bank account information to deposit your “PCH winnings.” Again, Publishers Clearing House will never ask for your banking info, which means that anyone asking for these details have nefarious intentions. The second is that the scammer will go as far as to send you a fake check. However, in the United States, sweepstakes sponsors will need to send the winner an affidavit prior to sending any check over $600. Thus, if you have not received an affidavit, there is a good chance you are being set up by a fraudster. To avoid this kind of sham, it is wise to familiarize yourself with fake check scams.
How to Report PCH Impersonator Scams
With this understanding of different PCH impersonator scams, how to spot them, and how to avoid getting caught in one, the only thing left is to learn how to report a Publishers Clearing House impersonator scam.
To make things as easy as possible for our friends and fans, we have created a dedicated PCH impersonator scam reporting page that will walk you through the process, asking everything we need to know about you and the incident. The info will then be shared with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the US Postal Service, and police and law enforcement officials to help put an end to the scam.
Protecting Yourself Again PCH Impersonator Scams
We hope this information was helpful and successfully protects you from any potential PCH impersonator scams (and other types of internet scams) that you may encounter.
Tell us, has anyone tried to scam you in the name of PCH? How did you know it was a scam? Let us know in the comments section below!
I’ve had a bunch of people trying to connect with me on Instagram. Like their PCh people..
We certainly take the issue of scams and the illegal use of our name by scammers very seriously; that’s why we regularly educate our fans on what they can do to protect themselves. You can do your part to help us by reporting all scam contacts that you receive. To report scammers contacts can be reported to PCH via this link: http://bit.ly/Report-Scam-To-PCH. It’s important to remember that the real PCH will never send you a private message or friend request, and we’ll never ask for money to claim a prize. Stay safe everyone!
I received a phone call from a Mr.Andrew Goldburg, stating I won $5000./week for life. They are suppose to award the prize tomorrow at my home. I am suspicious, and upon reading your website stating you never call winners, leads me to suspect I’m being scammed. Thanks for your website!
Hi Brent, you’re very welcome! We’re 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!
I was contacted by phone to notify I had won 50 000 needed my email…….I did not know any different and they wanted 200.00 first time to pay tax then months later said had won 50 000.00 and wanted 300.00 dollars. I DO NOT USE CREDIT CARD OR CASH SO DID NOT HAVE CASH. said go borrow from friends and neighbors. Could not do that because had borrowed from friends to pay LIHEAP THEIR PORTION OF MY POWER BILL which I had to pay since they did not. Last December. still trying to pay back….I pay my bills then use any extra not much to whittle away that situation. THis time wanted 300.00 CASH for secu rity and legal. Did not have…..they did not understand and wanted me to get from friends and now want to talk to friends. HOTDOG. I found this notice of how to identify scams and fraud from pch. I Had helped others who were lying and took advantage of me so I can no longer help. THEY got it. Trying to build back as 78 yr.old with mobility issues. So not easy. I am disabled with a hobbling walk and cane. I AM NOT HIRED. Have College BAs and Masters. Work avaliable not for seniors who hobble around.
Hello Susan, Thank you very much for reporting the scammers that have contacted you. Stopping them is a team effort and we are happy that you are doing your part. As a reminder, you can report scammers to PCH at this link: http://bit.ly/Report-Scam-To-PCH. We have also included a link for Safety Tips, for some great info on what to watch for: https://bit.ly/FraudProtection2.Be careful and stay safe everyone!!
$10000 A week For life Gwy Entry Bonus Code Gwy Entered As I Randall Sharpe Claim this code and have in hand for the Final June the 28th. I Randall would like another chance by Claiming this code in hand I clam codeFC534 for 10000 A WEEK FOR LIFE, For The Final. Thank you!
This scammer was so good I gave him every information. They contacted me on your PCH contest sit where people put comment to your questions I made a comment and your logo came up and a Sharon said something like congratulations per contact me to here your prize or something and way I pushed on test your logo and Sharon’s name anyway to asked for proof they text me and I’d badge with photo and lots of info on it. I have pictures of Sharon’s I’d badge and most of conversation. And telephone number they still call I thought you could catch them. Please call and I can text you all of photos #’s and text . But do it fast please I gave then info they never asked for money just info I gave so they have my life I’m 71 and was crazy excited because of all the year I’ve tried. They sent info saying I won 300,000. They gave me info I needed like claim number ticket# batch# serial# codes everything then needed info from me and copy of drivers license. I DID IT ALL. I ASKED QUESTION THEN GOT THAT SICK FEELING. THEY DID EVERYTHING TO ASSURE ME BUT I KNEW . THEY STILL TEXT WANTING ME TO FO THE id.me. I’m guessing so they have permission to use my info. I’m sick. I read all all kinds of things after I got off phone about how they give you your award but not how you get check or money. I got scammed and will pay for life I’m 71. This is devastating. I did call police and got police report. They just took picture of Sharon I’d badge. I was on the phone with them and he just said hang up. But they still call to have me finish to get my money. Please tell everyone I though coming off there winners and comments it was safe but it’s not I’m sorry to say. These scammers are good. Please be careful.
Hi Dona, we’re very sorry to hear about your experience. Please make sure to 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!
Somebody is calling me, saying I’m a PCH winner. The also sent picture of my winning. 1.5 million and a car.
Hi Benerva! I’m sorry to tell you that was a scammer calling you, 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 and sometimes fake images 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!
I definitely knew it was a scam when I was told I needed to pay $1100 for a card dealing with taxes BEFORE the Prize Patrol could give me a certified check for 3.5 million dollars, a Mercedes Benz car, and 5000 dollars a week for life.
Hi Donna, we’re happy you could tell that was a scammer. You can 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!
I was contacted via phone and was told I had won 2.5 million dollars + a new Mercedes auto. Was sent a phone number to the IRS where a recording states they’re holding 2.5 million + 4800. Then when I phoned the man back he said people coming to my home tomorrow morning and I have to pay 4800 dollars to get the 2.5 million dollars.
Hi Antonio! Please be careful, 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 back, 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!
Scammers are now using Facebook to tell people that they won .
Here are some messages they keep sending to people. And below is the message and the number they are asking people to claim their win.
Hello Thank you for congratulation our recent PCH winners! You are indeed in luck as well ! We have been trying to get a hold of you like forever please reach out to us immediately by sending a text messages to our headquarters at +1 $$$-$$$-$$$$.
Hi Jonas! We are sorry to hear the scammers are bothering you. PCH will never send friend requests, private messages, or winner notifications via social media including Facebook, and we also never ask for money to claim a prize. Please report them to PCH by completing a Scam Incident Report. Here’s how: http://bit.ly/Report-Scam-To-PCH. Check out this FAQ for info on how to stop scammers from contacting you on Facebook: http://bit.ly/StopFBScammers. Stay safe!
They are now using messenger via Facebook, hacking into one of your friends or co-workers accounts (mine was Janet N$$$$$) and having them tell you that you won a prize, they saw your name on their list of winners, and you should claim your prize. All you have to do is click on the link provided by your friend/co-worker and message the agent, Thomas RALPH, to say you want to claim your prize. You pay a fee to claim your prize choice out of a list they provide. You pay this guy…. I did Venmo payment to $$$$$$$$$$$, they gather all your information. I mean EVERYTHING. They have you go to the IRA website and sign in under a disguised e-mail and password. That was when I ended the process, about 3 hours later. Next day they reached back out via messenger and said they needed another $5,000 for the delivery guy that has your package. They send you pictures of random FedEx drivers and pictures of winners from the website. It is very convincing, but I am grateful that I didn’t pay any more than the first $2000.
Hello Erin, 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. There are a lot of scammers out there who use the good name and reputation of PCH, as well as the names of those of us on the Prize Patrol. Please be careful everyone!!
Just had the same thing happen to me very unnerving!