Publishers Clearing House Scam Call

Publishers Clearing House has gotten many reports about scammers using the Publishers Clearing House name to deceive people. Scammers call, claiming you’ve won the sweepstakes, but to collect your prize, you need to send money to pay for so-called fees and taxes. But, paying to collect a prize is a scam.

Scammers like to ask you to send money by Western Union or MoneyGram, or by getting a prepaid card or gift card. Why? Because it’s nearly impossible to trace that money – and you’ll almost never get your money back.

If you think you’ve won a prize, here are a few things to know:

Publishers Clearing House will never ask you to pay a fee to collect a prize. In fact, no legit prize promoter will ever charge you to win.
If anyone calls asking you to pay for a prize, hang up and report it to the FTC.
Never send money to collect a prize. It’s a scam.
Clearing House doesn’t call ahead to say you’ve won.