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!
Thanks!!!
Just received a voice mail saying we won 13.8 million dollars, a 2023 GMC SUV and $10,000 a week for life. Gave a claim number too. The call came from $$$ $$$ $$$$. Had my husband listen to it too. Will report to PCH scam.
Thank You so much! I am getting calls claiming that I have won a new car, 8 million dollars and $7000 a week for life. Too good to be true and they are emailing me and sending me letters. I thought it was a scam and now I am sure.
Hi Janice, we’re glad to help! Please report all contacts from scammers to PCH via this link: http://bit.ly/Report-Scam-To-PCH. PCH does partner with the Federal Trade Commission and we send all scam reports to them so please make sure you let us know anytime a scammer contacts you. Remember, the real PCH never notifies major prize winners via phone, standard mail, email, or social media, and we never ask winners to pay to claim their prize. You can see more Safety Tips here: https://info.pch.com/fraud-protection. Stay safe!
Thank You for the information.
Thank you and have a bless day.
I received a call from the number 914-416-$$$$ this morning! They said I was a big winner and to call them back right away and God Bless me! It was a recording that claimed to be PCH! I wanted to put this number on here so people can be careful!
Hello Rhonda, We’re so happy that you knew that wasn’t the real PCH who contacted you. The real PCH doesn’t notify our major prize winners via phone, standard mail, email, or social media, and we never ask for money to claim a prize. Please report any details you have about that scam contact to us at this link: http://bit.ly/Report-Scam-To-PCH. Be careful everyone!
Phone number used to contact 444 444-4444 after the call says PCH.
Hi Sara! That is not the real PCH calling you, it’s a scammer that’s only pretending to be from PCH. Please do not call that number, do not give the scammer any personal info including bank account information, and definitely do not send them any money if they ask. Make sure to report that scam contact to us via the following link: http://bit.ly/Report-Scam-To-PCH. I encourage you to read these Safety Tips too: https://info.pch.com/fraud-protection. Stay safe!
I just talked to Danielle and she i had to pay FedEx to have them deliver my prize of 300 dollars.
Hi Harry! I’m sorry to tell you that was a scammer, not the real Danielle from PCH. It’s important to remember that PCH does not contact winners of a major prize via phone, text, email, mail, or on Social Media. Also, if anyone asks you for money for any reason to claim a prize, you can be sure they’re a scammer. Please don’t give them any money, or any personal information! Scammers are very sneaky and will use our good name and reputation to try to deceive people. Stopping them is a team effort so please report any and all scam contacts you receive to PCH at this link: http://bit.ly/Report-Scam-To-PCH. We provide numerous videos, blogs, and tips to recognize these scammers here: https://info.pch.com/fraud-protection. Stay safe!
I got a call from $ $$$ $$$ $$$$ and a nice lady asked me if I got a letter from PCH. I said no then later remembered I did. She told me I had won 45 million with 7000 wkly till I die. I was at my store had interruptions so I had to have her hold… she told me to wait and call her from home… not to tell anybody because it was a lot of money and there are thieves there. I asked how much they were going to charge me she this is free no charge… told me money would be delivered and pmts of 7000 to to bank. I said I will not give anyone my checking acct. number… she said you need to work with the bank and open a savings acct for this money to be deposited. I did not call her back last night. This is Sunday I called to see if she would answer and she did said to take my time.. I said I have to call on Monday… I plan to call PCH on Monday… and report this.. gave her name as Barbara J$$$.. .my name is Bonnie D$$$$, Mo. $$$ $$$ $$$$ is my work # Just me here.
Hi Bonnie! That is not the real PCH calling you; it’s a scammer that’s only pretending to be from PCH. Please do not call that number, do not give the scammer any personal info including bank account information, and definitely do not send them any money if they ask. Make sure to report that scam contact to us via the following link: http://bit.ly/Report-Scam-To-PCH. I encourage you to read these Safety Tips too: https://info.pch.com/fraud-protection. Stay safe!
Thank you for the information. Received a letter from Publishers Clearing House informing me as a winner of the grand prize of ($1,100,000.00), and received a cashiers check for the sum of $9855.10, then I was to contact a claims agent John Newman for method of payment., 1-$$$-$$$-$$$$. He is suppose to advise me on how to claim my cash prize winnings. I’ve called this number and it goes to voice mail that is not operating. I gave the check to my bank, which put a nine day hold on it. This will see if it will process.
I will gladly fax you this letter if you wish. Send me a fax number and advise.
Hi Russel! I’m sorry to tell you that was a scammer that sent that, 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 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!