Publisher's Clearing House Scam In Parsippany: Police

PARSIPPANY, NJ - An older resident of Parsippany was almost victimized by a Publisher's Clearing House scam, according to authorities.

The resident contacted the Parsippany Police Department and noted he had been receiving multiple scam phone calls, which included one that he won the Publishers Clearing House (PCH) sweepstakes.

The caller stated PCH representatives would be coming to his home on that date, but never did. The same resident said that the calls persisted since his initial complaint, and he received another phone call stating he won the PCH and a representative would be coming to his house. Shortly after, a woman rang his doorbell and told him he won and tried presenting him flowers, police said.

The resident told the woman he was calling the police, and she fled in a waiting vehicle, police said.

"Usually, the PCH scammer would simply advise the person over the phone they won and would have to pay taxes on the winnings before they delivered the check," police said in a statement. "The scammer would instruct the potential victim to pay via wire transfer, cash card, or other means."

Police said that having the actual scammer show up to their residence is an escalation in tactics.

"We must make sure all of our family and friends know about, including anyone that does not have social media," police said. "Luckily, this resident was smarter than them and did not fall victim."

This is a variation of the bail scam which they prey on older people and advise them a grandchild or relative has been arrested, and they need to pay an immediate cash bail, so they can be released, police noted.

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