Hello, PCH fans and friends! We want to remind you of an important thing to remember about WINNING BIG.
“Is This for Real?”
Let’s say you’re sitting in front of the TV after a long day, taking it easy watching your favorite show, when the phone rings. You look down at the caller ID and jump right out of your seat. Is this for real? Could it possibly be??
Can you believe it, they say they are Publishers Clearing House! Calling with news about your BIG PRIZE! Did you really just win One Million Dollars?
HOLD UP, don’t fall for that call! Scammers LOVE to try to trick people (like you, loyal PCHers) with advance notifications about winning prizes or big money from PCH. It’s one of the most common scams we see around here.
How We DON’T Contact You
Besides calling you on the phone, scammers will send texts and email, or even privately message people to tell them they’ve won. Would you believe some scammers go so far as to mail phony letters with fake checks inside? PCH never does any of those things, so that’s how you can recognize it’s a scam.
Also, do NOT answer a friend request from Danielle or Howie – the Prize Patrol and PCH don’t send friend requests. We do happily interact with fans on our official blue-check social pages (just don’t post any of your personal info there!).
So Let’s Say It Once More…
Publishers Clearing House will NEVER notify winners of major prizes ahead of time. NEVER. You’ll know you’re being scammed if you receive a phone call, text or other alert from someone claiming to be PCH with a Big Check with your name on it. Chances are they’re going to ask YOU to send THEM money in order to claim the prize.
Remember, at Publishers Clearing House, winning is 100% FREE. ALWAYS. We will NEVER call you asking for money to claim winnings. Don’t fall for the friend request from someone masquerading as a Prize Patrol member. It’s FAKE, FAKE, FAKE.
Remember, there’s only ONE WAY to find out if you’ve won a SuperPrize from PCH – if the Prize Patrol shows up at your door with a Big Check in your name! Scammers are smarter and more relentless than ever, so we urge you to stay safe and vigilant, and never EVER respond to a notification that you’ve won a prize or answer a friend request. We can’t emphasize it enough!
We’re all In It to Win It… but safely!
Yesterday we received a call stating that we won a huge sweepstakes. 3.5 million dollars, 7,000 a week for life for both myself and husband, plus a Mercedes Benz car. We were Leary but they were persistent most of the day. Told us we had to give them 500.00 to get 7000.00 a week and then 16,000 for 3.5 million so they would pay IRS. We finally told them no deal and to move on to another winner. After reading the above we wish we would have read it sooner. I saved all their names and numbers. A hard life lesson!!!?
Hi Jean, 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. You can report scammers to PCH at this link: http://bit.ly/Report-Scam-To-PCH. Be careful and stay safe everyone!!
I was just called by a two guys one verified if I was Michele and then the second guy got on. He said they tried to call to schedule to come to my home. They asked me if I wanted it private or known they told me I won 900 K and a car. They told me I had to have ID proving who I was . They said all I needed was my ID and to go get a Money Pack Card from Walgreens or wherever they sold it asked if I had a valid bank account and do I want a cashiers check or cash. Then they said Do I drive, I said no they said you will have to have someone with me with a valid licenses to accept the car. When I asked a question they said do I think this is a Joke do I want the prize or not they said you did fill out a card and mail it in did you not? I remember filling in one and mailing it in and I knew the drawing was going to be a year from them. Do I I want to forfeit it. Anyway I asked how do I know you are not coming to rob me or rape me. They said they will have police escorts and of course balloons and the check. I wasn’t asked for any money, oh they did ask how old I was and when I said 55 they said are you sure you sound like you are 20 yrs old. So like I said they did not ask for any money but they did request I get a money pack. Is this a scam? Please get back to me they want to come to my house tomorrow at 12 noon. They had my address also they did not ask for any bank info. Is this a scam.
Hello Michele, 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!
What if the winner has a locked front gate and dogs?
Hello Jennifer, Winners will be notified through UPS delivery, Express mail, email or in person by our famous Prize Patrol at our option. We would never contact any of our winners in advance, nor will you have to pay any fees to receive your prize.
If you won:
– Less than $600, the winner will receive the check via regular mail
– $600.00 to $9,999.99 in a calendar year, an affidavit of eligibility has to be notarized and returned back within 30 days and the check will then be sent out to you
– Anything over $10,000 will be awarded by the famous Prize Patrol.
I have just been scammed, gave them my personal information. I thought it was legit until they started asking for up front fees.
Hi Chris, we’re sorry to hear about that. 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 have a package on the way from PCH. What is it? How do I find out?
Hi Shane! We’d be happy to assist you with this but we’re going to need a little more information. Please reach out to our Customer Service team who will be happy to help. You can find all our contact information right here: http://bit.ly/ContactPCH. We look forward to hearing from you!
I was scammed by a James McCoy for one thousand dollars !
Today I was called by a Robert Johnson.
Can anyone tell me anything about these two guys ?
Thanks!
Hi Jacqueline! We are very sorry to hear the scammers have been bothering you. 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. 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 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. You can see more Safety Tips here: https://info.pch.com/fraud-protection. Stay safe!