Publishers Clearing House

Victim Location 27529
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

My mother received a phone call from someone, by the name of John McWell, who represented Publisher's Clearing House, and that she had won 13 million dollars, and that Oprah Winfrey would be delivering her prize. She had to withdraw $7000 from her account and take it to a bank of America to receive a receipt that she would need to present when the van arrived to "surprise" her. The money would be used to process the fees that applied to the Mercedes car, that she also won.

Victim Location 19525
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

Ms. Mary Hudson, badge #1702, called to inform me I had won $1.7 million, a new 2017 car with insurance coverage for 2 years. I also won a $3500.00 gas card plus various shopping sprees totaling $140,000. I was also given a Service code. I was asked for $375, when I informed them I did not have the money she dropped the price to $175.00. She told me this was the fee to get the process started. I informed her I did not have any money to spare. That was when she gave me her phone number and told me to call when I did have it.

Victim Location 78387
Total money lost $38
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

My elderly in-laws received a letter from Publishers Clearing House stating my father in law won $600,000.00. With the letter was a sponsorship check in excess of 9,000.00 to cover taxes and processing fees. A number was provided to call before depositing the check. My father in law called, he was instructed to deposit check. That once he deposited check they would know where to deposit the rest of his winnings. He took check and letter to local Teachers Credit Union. The credit union personnel congratulated him on his winnings and stated the check looked legitimate. They would hold all monies from that check for 10 days, before he would be allowed access to funds. My in laws then came to my house to tell me of their good fortune.I immediately checked the PCH website and determined it was a scam. The next day I called the number at PCH. I was advised it most likely was scam. I was asked if the check had PCH printed on it.

I could not answer that since the check was deposited. The next day my mother in law called the credit union. They said the check was from a construction company not from PCH, but again that it looked legitimate. For her to wait 10 days and then check her balance. Tuesday,June 14th, she received a call from credit union stating the check had been returned. Today she received a copy of the check with a letter from credit union stating they have charged her account $38.00 for returned check fees.

I believe the credit union is also at fault, for taking the check and then after mother in law calls, they tell her to wait 10 days, as the check looked legitimate. I am sending a copy of the scam letter. I do not have the copy of the check or the letter from the credit union, however, i will get a copy and if needed will provide to this agency.



I'm not certain at this point what are the scammers intentions. Do they now have access to my in-laws checking account? Should they immediately close the account and open a new one? In laws seem to think nothing else will transpire. They hesitate to change their bank account, as this is where they receive their monthly social security checks, and can not afford any delays in receiving their monthly funds.

Please feel free to call me at *** ***  or email at *** if any further discussion or information is required.

Yolanda Arevalo

Victim Location 19104
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

Person called asking if I had heard about Publishers Clearing House and if I was over 18. UPS was going to be delivering a check from PCH. Just waiting on me to say yes. Will be watching my phone bill for potential charges that I don't want.

Victim Location 87123
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

They stated they were from publishers clearing house and that I had won the 2nd grand prize or 2.5 million and asked if I had received their letter in the mail. They were really hard to understand and hear, then they asked another question i couldn't understand and the phone cut out.

Victim Location 43230
Type of a scam Fake Check/Money Order

Called saying I won millions In PCH lottery.

Victim Location 35582
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

He said that his name was "Bobby O'Neill." He represented Publishers Clearing House, which was running a promotion with Wal-Mart. Out of every $20 I spent there, $1 went into a sweeps stake for PCH. I was onto him, but I was having fun by this time. He asked if I was married, if I lived alone. He told me, "congratulations, you've won a brand new 2016 Cadillac and $100,000" He advised me to not tell anyone, not friends, family, and certainly not the cops. He finally got to the point- it was only going to cost me $300. I told him if he wanted money from me, he was barking up the wrong asparagus, told him which part of my anatomy he could kiss, and hung up. He called back, almost instantly. I hit "ignore." He called back. I told him to not call me again. So far, he hasn't called back. i had his number, from the start. Others might not, and end up in trouble.

Victim Location 99216
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

I received a call stating I had won $450,000 and advised me to get a cashiers check for $450 from Wells Fargo located at 140 E sprauge Ave. They further instructed me to send the check to Michelle Ventura at 7201 NW 59th St, Tamarak FL 33321. The check was to guarantee that I got the check and the someone from FedEx would deliver it to my door.  

Victim Location 44109
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

I received a phone call from Publishers Clearing House on my home telephone. The man had a thick accent. Stated I won $2.5 million and a brand new Mercedes. I was instructed to get $799 for the IRS for a seal to prove the money was real. I had to go thru the government in order to receive. Caller would pick up the cash money at my home. They would come in a blue and white van. Told me they were located in New York. The callers name is Raymond Kennedy. When I got the cash I was to call this number 914-827-6137. I never paid any money. I called back to see if they would answer. Raymond Kennedy General Manager answered. They called me back and asked me if I got the money. I told them I did not get the money. I said I know you are a scam artist. Don't call me again. Another caller gave me his name as Michael Anderson. They try to be extremely convincing. I made it seem like I believed it so I could get information and report it.

Victim Location 44052
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

I received a phone call from Publishers Clearing House on my cell phone. I do not have their phone number. Stated I won $2.5 million. Caller wanted me to send $80 in order for me to receive the money. Told me to send the money to Montego Bay Saint James. Send it to a lady named Victroia Jackson. I knew the entire time it was a scam. Caller did not speak good English. Fake spanish accent. I hung up on them and they called back twice. I know I have not won anything. It is a scam. I asked them questions and they kept telling me a won a prize. I want to help other consumers.

Victim Location 83706
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

Called me and told me that I won money and a Mercedes Benz, they asked for 600 dollars.

Victim Location 76179
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

I received a letter in the mail by United States postal services with a check written off a Wells Fargo bank account from Western Union Finacial Services for $6585.00. Stating that the check was to cover lawyer fees and insurance purposes. For my prize of 2.5 million dollars that I had already won. And asked for me to fill out a letter with my info and once confirmed I would receive my winnings.

Victim Location 31902
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

Received two phone calls saying that they were from publishers clearing house and I had won a car. I was instructed to wire $500 to a Ms. Isabelle Charles in Marion, SC to cover the delivery fees and taxes.

Victim Location 63028
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

I received a letter in a plain envelope claiming to be from the Publisher's Clearinghouse. The return address on the back of the envelope was in Canada. The letter inside showed a simulated check made out to my wife and I indicating we'd won money and told us to call regarding our winnings within 72 hours. The notice said to keep the info confidential until the claim was processed and the money was remitted to our account. Although we had signed up for the Publisher's Clearinghouse in the past the mailing still seemed strange. I called Publisher's Clearinghouse and confirmed it is a scam letter.

Victim Location 63123
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

I received a phone call saying they were Publisher's Clearing House and I had won 950,000 and a Mercedes Benz. They told me I needed to go to Walmart to get a money order to send to them for a specific fee. I knew at this point it was a scam

Victim Location 32409
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

THIS PERSON CALLED ME ON MY CELL AND SAID HE WAS FROM PUBLISHER CLEARING HOUSE AND I WON 2MIL. AND A CAR BMW RED HE WANTED ME TO GET IN MY CAR AND CALL HIM BACK WITH THIS NO. 876-434-5722 AND HE WOULD DIRECT ME TO WESTERN UNION AND GIVE THEM THIS TICKET NO. 1996US BUT I DID NOT DO IT I AM TURNING THIS TO YOU ALL TO WARN OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT THIS

Victim Location 46507
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

I just received a call from an unknown number. "No caller ID" he left a message

"Hello this is George Cooper from publishers clearing house. Please get back with me at my direct line @202-239-5066 thank you"

Victim Location 83619
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

I was told to pay 665 dollars for taxes for them to release my money. David Washington is the name they gave me.

Victim Location 28470
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

Received a call on my cell phone, from a John Anderson, said he was a representative for Publishers Clearing House and that he had been trying to get in touch with me by mail to let me know I was a 2nd place winner of 1.8 million dollars and a bonus prize of a 2017 Mercedes Benz s series. Gave me a lot of information, including, The Winning # the Pkg. # the Serial # and a Ticket #. Said my prize was being held in Charlotte, NC, about a 3.5 hour drive from me and they would be delivering it today, but needed the registration fee for the car before they could release it in my name. This had to be done before it could be on it's way. He wanted me to go to Walmart and do a Walmart to Walmart transfer in the amount of $754.00 for the registration fee. And have the receipt with me when the prize team arrived. Said the would arrive in a Red, White, and Blue truck with my new Mercedes on the back. He ask me what color I wanted... which is a little fishy since my prize is already waiting for me in Charlotte. I am not biting, He is very convincing, please be careful, I was almost convinced but I put him off by telling him I had to wait for my wife to get home, which gave me time to contact the ScamPulse.com and found very, very similar stories. Thank you BBB... Hope this helps someone else, none of us have money to put in scammer's pockets.

Victim Location 99203
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

He said I won $2mil and I need to send $499 through Western Union to Sandra Wod