Publishers Clearing House

Victim Location 92651
Type of a scam Fake Check/Money Order

A legitimate looking letter arrived in the mail saying we had won the Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes. Enclosed was a check for $6780 to cover legal fees for the prize of $2.5 million written on a Chase bank check. The local bank accepted and deposited said check and gave a $200 advance on the money with a 10 business day hold. Called after 10 days, the bank reported it was counterfit. The persons from PCH called saying we were splitting the amount with 3 others so they cancelled the check...Now a Michael Roberts with phone number 818-600-1929 is calling saying the amount is $750,00 and to cover taxes we must deposit $1850 in a Bank of America account. He mentioned IRS and Customs to bring the cash and ScamPulse.com accreditation and the $1850 was according to FBI. Don't tell anyone until after you received the winnings!

Victim Location 53705
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

Called to say I won $1.5 million + a Mercedes. I was to go to Walmart and get a shipping and receive slip for $199.99. I did not fall for the scam. Imposter - publishers clearing house

Victim Location 79423
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

I received a call from a person in India saying that I had won the Publishers Clearing House Lottery and I won a new car and a substantial amount of money that would be awarded in a cashiers check. He gave me a claim # 3269592X and told me to call 806-300-0057 extension 005 and speak to John Mason. When I called the number, the same voice answered the phone and when I asked if he was in India and I was going to need to send money, he hung up.

Victim Location 54935
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

Caller said I won $2.5 million from Publishers Clearing House. I was instructed to wire $500 for taxes due via Western Union. I did not fall for the scam.

Victim Location 84070
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

Consumer contacted the BBB regarding multiple phone calls of two men claiming to be from Publishers Clearing House with a sweepstakes prize. One claimed to be a delivery man and the other just an employee requesting personal information such as a Drivers Lic # and full name to confirm her delivery and prize. They then requested she send a Western Union moneygram of $285000 to a Mr. Patrick Swift at 129 Main Plaza, St George, UT so that this man could pay the IRS. The original man, Mike Moore, called multiple times for personal information using the number 615-900-2170 and referred to another individual named "Peterson." The scammers also insisted they were on "good terms" with the BBB, Dept of the Treasury, and IRS, but could provide no more information when the consumer questioned.

Victim Location 27217
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

Received call on cell phone stating that he was Mike Miller a representative for publishers clearing house and I had won over $900,000.00 and Mercedes. I needed to take down information. Told I could not due to driving. Asked when he could call back, told him in 2 hours. He called back and gave me the name of John Mason to call at 1-876-489-6201 and my claim #550660. All three "different" people I spoke to sounded the same and I told him this when I was supposedly speaking to John Mason. Told me I did not sound excited for having just won and I told him that I was pretty sure I was trying to be scammed. Asked why the call was showing up from Jamaica and he tried saying something about cheaper rates when calling different places. He denied and asked status if I was married, single, divorced or widowed. I told him that would not answer questions cause if he was with Publishers Clearing House that information did not matter and what he would need would be on my entry form. I told him if this was legitimate then I would expect to get something in the mail. He then started breaking up some and I then I was just hearing feedback of my own voice. Stated that I would be informing BBB.

Victim Location 29556
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

Was told I had won a certified cashiers check of $139,000 and a 2016 classic Mercedes Benz. All I had to do was go to western union to pick up a government receipt but I had to pay $200 which would be reimbursed when I was presented with my winnings. They asked for no personal information and I did not follow through with any of the directions they gave me. The name given to me of the person I spoke with was john richardson. His extension was 3. The carrier names given were Steven Micheal, Betty Jones, and Frank Miller. I was also given a package number 77542US.

Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

Got a call saying I won 2.8 million dollars through publishers clearing house sweepstakes. Said the draw was in Las Vegas and I could either fly down and have 3 nights free at the Golden Nuget hotel or have the money delivered to me via brinks security. All I needed to do was to go to the post office and get a Money Gram senders form and send $25 to an insurance agent that will be insuring the cheque Her name is supposedly Mary Wallnut and the addess was westgate Campbell River BC. He instructed this had to be done right away and I was to call him from my cell phone when it was done. He took my cell number and said he would call back with his contact info. I asked for the phone number for this Mary Wallnut a couple of times and he kept assuring me I didn't need her number, I asked for the insurance company she worked for and he wouldn't give it to me, he assured me this $25 would be returned to me once I got the 2.8 million. Then he said because I seemed like such a nice person my winnings would be increased. He said he would call me back with his contact info and we hung up the phone. Did not answer the call from him on my land line or cell phone. He was getting very aggressive about me going to the post office right away to send this $25.

Victim Location 50644
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

Told her she had one $8.5 million, Plus $7000 at Walmart, and a new 2016 car. She asked if this would cost her anything, and they responded that she would it would cost her $750. She didn't get as far as asking them how they would need to receive the money. She said she would think about it and they gave her the phone number to call them back.

Victim Location 27545
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

Caller called mobile number from a restricted line. Said he was from PCH - asked if I had entered a couple of years ago (2014). Difficult to understand but once clear, I said yes. He told me they were going to deliver me a certified check for $2.5 million and new Mercedes in the next hour. He gave the name and number above to call of his boss and a Pkg# 77505US. He asked that I call him when I hang up the phone. I did not and he called right back. When he asked why - told him that on the PCH website it said that if you receive a call in advance, it is a scam. He got belligerent and said [censored] You, Go and Die! I responded, "That's really nice" as I hung up.

I don't know what they wanted. I didn't give them any info.

Victim Location 40456
Type of a scam Counterfeit Product

Called and asked me if I had ever heard of Publishers Clearinf House. I said "yeah sure" and he immediately hung up on me. Concerned they've recorded my voice for use fraud activity.

Victim Location 44107
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

I have received a phone call on my home phone from Publishers Clearing House. Contact is Tony Washington. He had an accent. Said it was Publishers Clearing House. He gave me claim number 363JF. He said I won $2.5 million dollars. Plus a 2017 Mercedes Benz insured by Allstate for one year. Gave me package number US70005P. Deborah Holland and Dave Sawyer would be coming to my home. An attorney would be coming to my home with Deborah Holland and Dave Sawyer. Attorney Shamarri Williams. His address is Mount Vernon NY 10550. Did not give me a street address. Wanted me to Walmart or Walgreens and get a Money gram $775.This is 1% of the tax. Publishers Clearing House would pay the rest. This is to register money with IRS. Wanted me to call them back when I got back with Money Gram. He asked me for my cell phone number so they could track me so I got safely back home. I did not give my cell phone number out or send any money. I knew when I had to send money it was a red flag. He gave me phone number 876-878-5004

Victim Location 36091
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

Said I had won 850000.0 0 and a Chevy Malibu. He said he was on the way to my residence. But first I needed to go to the local Walmart and get a money order for 257.00 to apply toward taxes. He said to call him back when I was on the way to Walmart. He hung up when questioned about who the Vice President of PCH was. But he did try to call back. I hung up.

Victim Location 15220
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

Customer received call stating the won $7,000 a month for life. All the customer had to do was give them 200.00 to get started. Caller stated they were a good company just to check with the ScamPulse.com at 876-489-1098 ( jamaican) number, Customer hung up on called and called BBB.

Victim Location 68105
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

On April 12, 2017, I received a plain envelope addressed to my previous address and the PO put the forwarding slip on it so it was delivered to me. Inside was a letter dated March 30, 2017, and enclosed was a check made payable to me in the amount of $6,404.00 written on Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. North Carolina. The account name on the check was VIN Distributors, Inc. 5656 South Flamingo RD, Copper City, FL 3330. I think the signature on the check was Robert A. Whalf (It was rather scrawled.)

The letter stated that I was a second place winner in the 100 Million Dollars Super Cash Giveaway Promotion sponsored by Readers Digest, Mega Millions and Multi-State Lottery Association. The total amount to be claimed by me was $2,500,000.00 ($2.5 Million).

The check enclosed is to cover insurance and attorney fees.

Instructions in the letter were for me to call the telephone number 416-451-3812 and to refer to Security Code: PCH/186723. This was to be done before depositing the check.

I called the number on April 12 and Claims Manager Steve Velda spoke with me. He assured me that this was a call from Publishers Clearing House. When I asked about VIN Distributors, Readers Digest, etc. he said they were sponsors of the promotion. He asked for the check number (158331) and said that I should deposit the check and call this number back when that had been done.

After searching the internet for scams from Publishers Clearing House, I felt sure that this was one.

I did not deposit the check, but called back on April 13 and was again speaking with Steve Velda. I told him that I had deposited the check (which was not true) and asked what I was to do next. He said that the Prize Patrol would deliver a check to me at my home on Monday, April 17, between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. I asked how the $2.5 million would be delivered and when. He said that there would be checks in the amount of $9,750,00 and they would be sent over a 2 year period until the total was paid out. He went on to say that I would need to have a check in the amount of $4,300.00 to cover insurance. I asked what was being insured and he said the certified check was being insured. I said I had never heard of such a thing. He said that was what the check was for that was included in my letter and the balance would be mine. I then asked who to make the payment to and he said I would need to call back to get a code to send the check. I said I had never heard of Publishers Clearing House calling winners before the Prize Patrol arrived at their door. At this point, he hung up on me!

I tried calling back 3 more times during the afternoon and each time I got a recording saying the call was being sent to a voice mail service which had not been activated; therefore I could not leave a message.

Victim Location 97232
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

I received a call from someone named David Cooper allegedly from Publishers Clearing Houser say I won $3,000,000 plus a new red Mercedes Benz 270D. He then gave me the confirmation number 206779812077 and said I could receive the check when I paid a fee of $1,500. That is when I hung up my phone

Victim Location 38654
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

I received an email stating that I had won $1,000,000.00 USD.

To claim I must send them my Full Name, Street Address, Occupation, Sex, Age, Phone Number, State, City, Country, email address, and verify that I have not won before.

I assume it to be a scam, because it came to my email address, yet they want me to provide my email address in my response.

I have not responded.

Victim Location 53220
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

Called to tell me I won $3 million + a Mercedes Benz auto. Told me to write down the Badge # of Mary Johnson as well as the confirmation # and the prize #. I should then have $255 in cash for my registration fee to give to the person from the Prize Patrol who will deliver my prizes in person. I told him I didn't have the cash. He instructed me to then wire the money via Western Union to "Bill Payment Store". I then told him this all sounded very fishy and that I was going to call the BBB. He said that "because you are a skeptic, I will call back later." I then hung up. Phone is a JAMAICA EXCHANGE

Victim Location 84118
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

Caller said he is with publishers clearing house and said I have won $1,225,000 and a 2016 s class Toyota Camry. He said the verification number is DT 4123 u.s and said the checking number is 0010F3 then said the companies attorney is named Deborah Collins. Then he started asking me questions about if I am married and how I am a US citizen. I then said I am not interested in getting scammed so he said, [censored] you [censored]... so I hung up. (Sorry for the language, just stating what he said)

Victim Location 44108
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

I have been receiving many phone calls from Publishers Clearing House. Started last week. I received a call yesterday but I did not answer. The phone number on my caller ID is 601-822-1328. Callers name is David Goodman. Told me I won $750,000. Wanted me to send $500. Registration activation fee. I questioned him and he said I do not have to send it. I told him to send me something in writing.I did receive a mailing. Also won a car and a trip. Won 1.5 million. I know it is a scam. The letter looks fake. Like it has been copied. I am sending this letter to the Cleveland OH ScamPulse.com.