How do I keep from being a victim of scams or fraud?
Recently we've been hearing reports that scammers are accessing and using the names of our real PCH employees in their criminal attempts to deceive you. Names you've come to know and recognize such as real members of our famous PCH Prize Patrol.
If you are ever contacted by someone claiming to represent PCH, or claiming to be one of our employees, and asked to send or wire money (for any reason whatsoever, including taxes); or send a pre-paid gift card or Green Dot Moneypak card in order to claim a sweepstakes prize — DON'T! It's a SCAM. If you are sent a check, told it's a partial prize award, and asked to cash it and send a portion back to claim the full prize award, DON'T. The check is fake, but the SCAM is real!
Publishers Clearing House does not operate this way and would NEVER ask for money to claim a prize. PCH employees would never contact you personally or in advance to notify you of a prize award. Our SuperPrize is presented just the way you see it in our popular TV commercials, "live and in person" by our Prize Patrol, with balloons, bouquet of roses and check in hand — — and with no advance notification!
Publishers Clearing House urges all consumers to remember the following tips that may help prevent them from becoming the victim of a sweepstakes scam:
No Purchase Necessary to Enter or Win a Sweepstakes
It's the law! At Publishers Clearing House the winning is always free. If you are required to send money to enter, collect or claim a sweepstakes prize you have not heard from the real Publishers Clearing House.
Never Provide Your Credit Card Or Checking Account Numbers To Collect A Prize
Swindlers may request this information as "proof of eligibility" or for "authorization" and then quickly and illegally invade your account.
Beware If You Are Asked To Travel Or Make A Phone Call To Claim A Prize
If you are a Publishers Clearing House winner there is nothing further you need to do. Our Prize Patrol will contact all major winners in person - smaller prize winners will be notified by Priority or Certified Mail.
You can also visit our Fraud Protection website which provides helpful tips.
Related Articles
What does pch.com do to keep their site secure?
Safeguarding personal information is important to us. While no systems, applications or websites are 100% secure, we take reasonable and appropriate steps to help protect personal information on our Website from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, ...
I keep getting friend requests & private messages from scammers on Facebook.
A scam is a situation where you were contacted by someone claiming to represent Publishers Clearing House, or claiming to be a PCH employee and maybe were asked to send or wire money, send a pre-paid gift card or a Green Dot MoneyPak card, or cash a ...
I just downloaded a new browser so that I can keep enjoying PCH. How do I make it my default?
In order to make your new browser your default, please refer to the below instructions: To make Edge your default browser, please click here. To make Google Chrome your default browser, please click here. To make Firefox your default browser, please ...
Is Publishers Clearing House affiliated with Readers Digest? Is PCH related to Sweepstakes Clearing House?
Our company has become a well-known, recognizable household name. We are famous for our promotional mailers, our online site at www.pch.com, and of course our famous “Prize Patrol,” complete with the Prize Patrol van, balloons, champagne and ...
I was contacted and asked to pay a fee to claim my prize. Was this Publishers Clearing House?
No, this was not Publishers Clearing House who contacted you. It's important to stress that you did not hear from the real Publishers Clearing House. PCH or any legitimate sweepstakes would NEVER ask for money or personal financial information to ...