Sheriff warns of Publishers Clearing House scam
Imagine going to the mailbox and finding a letter from Publishers Clearing House (PCH). It could be exciting, but it could also be a potential danger. Clark County Sheriff Scott Haines warned of a recently circulating scam that could rob people of their hard-earned money.
“We all dream of a stroke of good luck, especially when it involves a potential windfall of ‘(USD 750,000.00) Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand US Dollars.’ But wait, there’s more; they sent a check for **$8,200.99.** They even offer to help you manage your winnings. This is where caution is key,” Haines wrote in a letter for the Aging Disability Resource Center newsletter.
“If you ever receive a document like this, it's crucial to be vigilant. Red flags should go off. Take control of the situation by contacting local law enforcement or your bank before you make any contact with them.”
As the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports, the PCH scam involves a letter calling for the participant to participate in a “payment arrangement” to receive his or her cash reward. The letter tells him/her to contact his/her claims agent at the organization’s branch office, and demands that he/she keep the details of his/her letter and payment confidential until her cash payment is processed.
In a recent Clark County case, attached to the letter was a “sponsorship check” to support out-of-pocket expenses for $8,200.99.
Christopher Irving, vice president of consumer and legal affairs at PCH, said the company never sends checks to consumers to tell them they have won a prize. When a person wins a major cash prize from PCH, representatives from the company show up unannounced with their “Prize Patrol” carrying a large check, flowers, and champagne.
Also, Haines has been receiving text messages and emails from UPS notifications that “you have a package that we couldn’t deliver.” The scammers want the recipient to go to a fake website in an attempt to gather the recipient’s personal information.
According to the UPS website under “PROTECT YOURSELF from Fraud and Scams,” if UPS contacts you regarding a package, the UPS representative will always be able to provide a tracking number, which you can verify on their website. You also should know that UPS may contact you occasionally regarding service offerings or for marketing purposes, but you can always verify UPS’ phone number and call back before proceeding.
“If you are ever unsure of the validity of a communication, ask for the caller’s first and last name and a call-back telephone number,” wrote Haines. “In closing, this is the world we live in today, full of shameless scammers and rip-off artists who want your hard-earned money. Please protect yourself, your family, and your friends.”
For questions or to report a potential scam, contact the Clark County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number at 1-800-743-2460 or 715-743-5278.
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