Publishers Clearing House Cares – Can YOU Spot A Scam?

We want our fans to be able to tell the difference between the real Publishers Clearing House and the scammers. Take our quiz below to see if you can spot a scam!

If you’re a regular blog reader, you’re probably well aware of PCH’s long tradition of awarding Sweepstakes prizes! Unfortunately, there are scammers out there who illegally use the Publishers Clearing House name to take advantage of innocent folks. We want you to stay safe and protected against these scammers.  How prepared are you to spot a scam? Take the below True or False quiz to test your knowledge!

True or False:  Publishers Clearing House has been in business for over 50 years and is a name you can trust.

TRUE!  Our company was founded in 1953 and has awarded over $238 Million in Sweepstakes prizes to date. Don’t be fooled into thinking that Publishers Clearing House is a scam. Our name is so well-recognized that oftentimes scammers will fraudulently use the good name of PCH to try to scam consumers. If anyone ever contacts you and asks you to send or wire money to claim a PCH Sweepstakes prize ― don’t fall for it!

True or False:  Publishers Clearing House will never ask you to mail or wire money to claim Sweepstakes prizes.

TRUE! We NEVER ask our winners for payment of any kind. The PCH Sweepstakes (and all legitimate sweepstakes) are FREE, that’s the law!

True or False:  If you win a SuperPrize, the Prize Patrol may notify you by phone and ask for personal bank account information to transfer your winnings.

FALSE! Our BIG SuperPrize winners are notified in person by the Prize Patrol. All those surprise “Winning Moments” you see on TV are REAL. No matter how convincing someone may sound over the phone, the simple fact remains our Prize Patrol does not call to alert winners.

True or False:  There is no purchase necessary to enter or win a Publishers Clearing House prize award.

TRUE!  All PCH Sweepstakes prizes are FREE to enter. While we hope you enjoy our value-driven deals on merchandise and magazines, buying will NOT increase your chances of winning. This important message is prominently displayed in our Official Rules and in all of our promotional mailings. If you are contacted and asked to purchase or pay a fee to claim a prize, you have not heard from Publishers Clearing House.

True or False:  Publishers Clearing House sometimes contacts winners through Facebook to alert them that they’ve won a prize.

FALSE! If you’re lucky enough to win a prize over $10,000.00, the Prize Patrol will surprise you in person.  We do not notify winners via Facebook!  If you are contacted via Facebook and told you have won a PCH prize, it’s an easy way to spot a scam.  Please keep in mind that the only legitimate PCH Fan Pages are the pages that are “Liked” by Publishers Clearing House.

So, how did you do? Could you spot a scam?

5 out of 5 ― Good job! You’re a PCH Pro!

4-3 out of 5 ― Not bad. You might want to check out this page now  to learn more on keeping yourself safe against scammers.

0-2 out of 5 ― Stop! We strongly suggest you visit the above page  NOW to protect yourself.

Please write me a message below and let me know how you did!

Stay safe,

Elaina R.
PCH Creative