The Publishers Clearing House or sweepstakes scam starts with a congratulatory phone call, letter or email from a person claiming to be a representative of the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes or similar lottery. They state you have won first, second or third place and have a cashiers check made out for you for millions of dollars, often accompanied by a brand new luxury car and even a weekly prize of thousands of dollars, all in one winning. They will sometimes ask for a claim number provided on the letter or email. They will then tell you that you must purchase a ….YES! Gift Card to secure your winnings. After the purchase of a card, they then develop an elaborate story of how the government requires you to pay a percentage of your winnings taxes, prior to the receiving of your BIG CHECK! They refer to the Treasury Department the FTC and other government entities to make themselves sound authentic. These payments are usually asked to be sent to bank accounts in the US by wire transfer or Zelle, or they ask the person to put cash in an envelope or box and mail it to a “Banker” in the US. There are no bankers but participants who will launder the cash to Jamaica. Sometimes the money is sent to other victims of the scam and they are instructed to pass the funds on to a “banker” for processing. Making the money trail hard to detect.
This scam is also one in which the person is drained of their finances and is told to keep paying in hopes of receiving their BIG WINNING. During this time the scammer engages with the person gaining trust and even calls them “MOM” and “DAD”. Further manipulating the person into doing as they are instructed. This scam can go on for years until the person is financially and emotionally worn down.
Publishers Clearing House or any other sweepstakes prize cannot be won unless you enter. No one is randomly chosen to win. They will not notify you of winning but show up at your doorstep with a check in hand. Taxes are taken out when you claim the winnings on your tax return for that year. “ Mr. Steve Harvey does not represent the sweepstakes any more!” The best way to avoid this scam is to not call the numbers on the email or letter and if you receive a call saying you are the “BIG WINNER” just hang up!
If you have been a victim of a scam call the authorities immediately and then visit our section on What to do after a scam