Police Warn of Publishers Clearing House Scam

Police in Annapolis are warning residents about a Publishers Clearing House scam.

The sweepstakes warns consumers to never give out financial information, says it never emails winners, and never requires any payment. Publishers Clearing House has a list of tips to avoid scammers, and contact information if you want to verify anything with the company.

Beware of Fake Check Scams

If you receive a check claiming to be from a sweepstakes and are asked to cash it and wire or send a portion back, don’t do it, that’s a scam contact. The check is not real..

Be Suspicious of Callers Claiming You’ve Won - But Ask You to Send Money

If you receive a telephone call from someone claiming you have won a sweepstakes prize but are asked to send money to claim it – beware, that’s a scam.

Be Wary of E-mails Claiming You’ve Won – and Asking You to Send Money

If you receive an e-mail notifying you that you have won a major sweepstakes prize, but are asked to provide personal financial information, or send money to claim the prize -- STOP -– you have most likely been contacted by a fraudulent sweepstakes scam operator. At Publishers Clearing House we do not notify major prize winners by e-mail.

Never Give Your Credit Card Number to Collect a Prize

If you are asked to provide your credit card number or provide your financial bank account information in order to claim a sweepstakes prize stop. Scam artists will use the information to go on a spending spree with your credit card; or wipe out your bank account.

Do Not Send Money to Claim a Sweepstakes Prize

If you are asked to send money to pre-pay taxes, pay a legal fee, pay a border fee, or pay any kind of fee to claim a sweepstakes prize – don’t do it, that’s a scam.

If an Offer Sounds too Good to be True -- It Usually is!

No purchase is necessary and the winning is always free.

Contact PCH: Know the Company Conducting the Sweepstakes

To report a scam, call toll-free: 1-800-392-4190. If you believe you received a suspicious email using the company’s name and logo, forward it to the fraud reporting mailbox, abuse@pch.com. You can also write to: Publishers Clearing House, 101 Winners Circle, Port Washington, NY 11050.