Publishers Clearing House is well-known for surprising people at their homes with oversized checks worth millions. For many, opening the door to learn they’ve captured one of those big prizes would be the stuff of dreams.
Fraudsters recognize how enticing these sweepstakes are, and they’ve devised ways to profit from that popularity.
If you’re someone who hopes for that memorable knock someday, you must be alert to a fresh scam designed to steal your money and make recovery extremely difficult.
If Someone Calls Claiming to Be From Publishers Clearing House, It’s Likely a Scam
On July 21, the Federal Trade Commission issued a notice describing a recent scam targeting people with fake Publishers Clearing House contacts.
The notice explains that impostors phoning consumers claim they’ve won a major prize. The scammers then demand a money transfer to cover supposed fees and taxes, insisting the funds are required before the prize can be released.
In most cases, fraudsters ask for payment via Western Union, MoneyGram or a prepaid card. Sending money through those channels makes it extremely tough to trace the funds, so victims often can’t get their money back.
The FTC cautions that anyone asking you to send funds to obtain a prize is running a scam. Likewise, Publishers Clearing House affirms it will never phone winners about a prize nor request payment to deliver one.
If you’ve been contacted by someone impersonating Publishers Clearing House, report the incident to the FTC.
Scammers looking to separate you from your cash are widespread, so safeguard yourself by using robust passwords and learning the steps to take if you suspect you’ve been targeted by fraud or identity theft scams.
