Victim Location 75060
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
Message left on phone answering service,’Congratulations on winning second prize from Publishers Clearing House, call back number (845)366-1352 with this confirmation number.’ Sounded good, so I called back and spoke to a man with a foreign accent who sent me a link to a pdf to download a description of the prize I had won to the e-mail address I had given him.
The message left on the answering service sounded well made, the page he sent looked much like anything else received from the real PCH, but when I was talking to the man on the phone, I was hearing background noises of what sounded like hammering, and I noticed that the e-mail was from a gmail account – hard to imagine PCH using a gmail account!
However, "You are expected to pay legal Fees amounting to $3,500.00 to clear your prize to our merchant banker." And they would like for me to "get in contact with your agent Mr. Frank Moss to make preparations for the delivery date and time of your winnings" – however I think they neglected to explain how to contact Mr. Moss, but they did provide me with a copy of his passport. Oops, at the top of the document they did provide Mr. Moss’ contact info –
"Frank Moss (Board Chairman)
Publishers Clearing House
Main Branch,
Jericho, NY
(845) 405-8271
Pchwinnerscircle.com"
The man on the phone did provide me with an address to mail the $3,500 money order to –
"Roger young
706 leopard court
Kissimmee Florida 34859"
As the pdf file references several US Companies, such as M&T Bank, Federal Trade Commision, Mercedes Benz, USPS, Federal Express, and of course PCH, it lends an air of credibility to the document, but I suspect that the referenced companies might like to not be involved in such a scam.
Victim Location 76309
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
They told me I won 2nd place prize of 500,000. They asked me to pay some kind of tax since they are in Asia $1,600.
Victim Location 76306
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
received a call and one man called 3 times and I didn’t believe him and so he told me to call the number to tell me what I had won so I called and it says its a secure number and the line hangs up so the man said he will have them called me. They said I was going to get $5 million and a new mercedes and they needed money for shipping. So I said that I would pay it when I see the car in my driveway and the money is in my hand so they hung up.
Victim Location 76351
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
caller said that he was with publishers clearing house and I am not sure if you remember signing up or not but you have won $35,000 dollars and they were on the way to my house about 35 minutes away and he told me to call that number-i didn’t call it-then the phone rang again and he asked why i have not called the manager yet and he said I better hurry because we are on our way we hung up and he called back again he said are you gonna call and I said I had the sheriff on the other line and he hung up
Victim Location 35228
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
I received an official looking letter with a Publishers Clearing House logo at the top saying I was a second place winner, total claim amount is $450.000. The letter congratulated me and said my prize has been insured to it’s total value and will be delivered to me when all requirements have been met. Legal and administrative fees have been calculated in the enclosed check of $7,600.00. These fees are mandatory and are meant to satisfy official laws, and income tax protocols mandated by the U.S. Government. The Publishers Clearing House has made all necessary arrangements in order for you to receive your prize. Please contact your Claim Manager without any delay, BEFORE depositing this check at your financial institution, and for further information on this prize. Claims Manager: JIM BERNARD OR DIANE STRONG. TEL # 1-647-2707, SECURITY CODE PCH-8319. As required by federal law and state laws your security code and prize information must be kept strictly confidential. Which means, you are precluded from discussing your win with third parties. This is to reduce the risk of unauthorized access to your claims information. Our office is open Monday through Friday 9am to 6pm Eastern. Accept our congratulations., signed, Patrick Benson, Chief Fianacial Officer.
Victim Location 76354
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
man called and his name was andrew brown and he said I won 2.5 million in the sweepstakes that was going to be drawn on bank of america and I also won a 2019 Mercedes benz and the check number was supposed to be 800372477us. and he gave an entry form number and it dawned on me that I had not entered this, how did you get this number? He asked how to pronounce my name and my wife’s name to be a beneficiary and he said that he would be delivering the prize in an hour and there was a prior written notification sent by mail. I asked him how did he get my phone number and my address, and then he went silent
Victim Location 76365
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
I was contacted on my cell phone which I don’t give out and told that I’d won Publishers Clearing House and that they needed me to go to a Western Union and send money to Jamaica. He used the name David Miller. I went along with it and told them I had the money and that I couldn’t send it because the Western Union machine was broken and I couldn’t sent it. They have called my cell phone 15 -20 times just today.I’m not answering.
Victim Location 76306
Total money lost $499.99
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
On Saturday March 9th they called me and my husband and then got my number and had both phones tied up at one time. He went and got an Amazon gift card for 499.99 and gave them the numbers off the back of the card. Our daughter got involved at that point and goggled the numbers they were calling from and it said Jamaican money scam. Since then they have called his phone almost every day. Today a lady called and said we needed to pay tax on the money and the car we had won and said she was from the US Treasury Dept. We told her we had not won anything and she said she would talk to David and get it straight. He is the guy we gave the gift card number to. He then called and told my husband to get in the car and go to our bank and he said no they had stole the gift card money and he was not going to the bank. The other numbers they called from was 876 958 0181 and the lady today called from 269 651 4115. Thank you
Victim Location 23123
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
His name David Anderson said I won 2.5 million but needed 200.00 to cover taxes and shipping. Very informative and sent me a e-mail with the pch logo with all the break down of my winnings. Gave me my winner number, serial number and government code word. He was real good but I just knew I did not have to paid to win. Told me to tell no one, make it be a surprise was another thing that did not ring true.
Victim Location 76308
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
aka Walter Williams from the PCH ( Publisher Clearing House )called and trying to get information from me , And he informed me that he needs that information to send me my 3.5 million U.S. dollars that I just won, only had my phone number and the area that I lived in . Asked for e-mail , Name , Wifes name , and addresss , I gave him non…. he stated that he was in Denton and was driving to my house to give me my check, I asked how far was he and he said about 400-500 miles but it is more like 101 miles….asked if I knew how to do a wire transfer …
Victim Location 27106
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
on or around October 25 or 26th i received several phone call from a gentleman claiming to be from publishers clearing house and the reason for so many calls cause he kept saying sorry we were disconnected do you mind me calling from another number he proceeded to ask me to right down every thing he said then read it back to him grand prize winner red truck 5000 dollar gift card to Walmart for shopping for life even went on to so called give me his name and badge number at the end of the conversation he proceeded to ask for 515 dollar in order for me to claim my prize i told him from the start if he even thought about asking me for my personal information over the phone i would have him up on charges he than finally hung up
Victim Location 20001
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
Person with Russian accent called to let me know I have won $2.5 million dollars and a Mercedes. I work for the government and specialize in fraud and this guy was good. Said things like he swore on his grandchildren’s lives…hope to God that I don’t think this is a scam. He had me write down his name, badge number, an attorney’s name, a claim number, etc…..
He wanted me to READ BACK the information he gave me….I asked him to read it again…said I had to read it for the recording. BINGO. They are recording your voice saying certain things…even just numbers. They will manipulate the recording and use your voice to authorize things. Please don’t fall for this and tell all of your friends to be careful.
Victim Location 28679
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
Said that we won a Mercedes car and 5.1 million dollars. Wanted us to wire money to be officially registered with us treasury. Very threatening language used by the caller when the sweepstakes winnings were met with skepticism.
Victim Location 20012
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
On or about April 25, 2018, I received a check for $7,695 with an unaddressed “letter” flyer notifying me that I was a 2nd place prize winner of $500,000, purportedly from Publishers Clearing House (w/logo). I have not negotiated the check. A person called on or about 5/2/18 asking about the check (from 919.964.3670). I acknowledged receipt; thought it was a fraud as it directed me that the check was for “insurance and attorney fees,” neither of which I needed or engaged; that if it was a legitimate prize, then just send me the money. I got testy, he got testy and said he was coming to my home. I said I would call the police if he showed up. He directed me to cash the check and he was coming to get the money at which point I hung up the phone. I received at least 3 other calls from the same number, neither of which I responded to.
I reported this scheme to the FTC. I have the check (now "voided") and the letter (haven’t figured out how to attach) but will not deposit. These 2 numbers,437-488-8398 and 647-407-0363, were in the flyer instructing me to contact them before I deposited the check. The flyer also instructed me to keep this information confidential “as required by Federal and State laws.”
Victim Location 28645
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
I received a phone call from a man named Michael Anderson. He said he was a representative from PCH. He said I had won 7.5 million dollars and a new Mercedes. He and his manager, from New York, supposedly needed money for fees, storage, gold seal… They want to know your age and when they find out you are 60 or over then the money they ask for keeps on and on. Please help the elderly for such abuse.
Victim Location 27105
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
Said they were from publishers clearing house, we had won 10k a month and we needed to go to Walmart and get a voucher for $1250 to prove my identity. Spoke with Jack Williams, Mary Allen, and Shirley White.
Victim Location 77562
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
Wanted me to send 999.20 to receive 750,000 dollars. 2nd place winner of pch
Victim Location 27011
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
I received a call that I had won a prize from Publishers Clearing House. I was told I would they were going to deliver a new car to my home along with a cashiers check. I was told I had to contact the General Manager of Publishers Clearing House and give them a code. When I called the man’s voice was the same. He said I had won $139,000 and a new 2018 Mercedes Benz. He wanted to know if I would accept delivery today. I asked him if there was another person I could contact at Publisher Clearing House to make sure this was for real. He said yes, he would give me that information after he got some information from me. I hung up and called the ScamPulse.com. The sign for me was his broken sentences and speaking slow and it was the same voice when I called the other number. They tried to call me back twice but I did not answer.
Victim Location 27127
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
Received call that I had won from Publisher’s Clearing House and I needed to go to Walmart/Target and get money order for $199 and I would get that money back. Ended call at that point.
Victim Location 27019
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
received letter from Publishers clearing house, said I had won and to call numbers. Called numbers and gentleman was asking personal info to gather personal information. Disconnected call.
Victim Location 54801
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
Recieved call saying they were from Publishers Clearing House coordinating with UPS. Said I won 2.5 million and Mercedes. Prize patrol would be at my door in 45 minutes. Rep from PCH would be there along with other people including a tax person etc. Then transferred me to another similar number to the "CEO" of company. Told me I needed $399 to give delivery driver for the Mercedes, but it could not be cash or check. I hung up on him at that point and he called me back! He was rude at that point when I told him that it was all a bunch of BS, that I should not have to pay anything to win and that I would only "jokingly"believe it when they showed up in driveway!! Then I hung up. They tried to make me stay on the line probably so I couldn’t contact anyone else or look up there number. I did not give out any private information. First caller sounded American second one was definitely foreign. Apparently after looking up area code, from Jamaica. I would like to add that the first scammer was very good at it, I normally hang up immediately when receiving these type of calls but he sounded like anyone’s grandpa!
Victim Location 54952
Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
John Bay of Publishers Clearing House called to say I had won 3.5 Million plus a Mercedes. I was told to go to Walmart with $558 in cash and do a Walmart to Walmart transfer. He said the money was a registration fee. I hung up when he asked for cash.