Publisher’s Clearinghouse Imposter

Victim Location 97501

Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

Received phone call on land line phone, caller identified himself as David from Publisher’s Clearing House. He asked me if I was ‘my name’, to which I answered ‘yes’. He then asked if I was familiar with Publisher’s Clearing House and I again answered ‘yes’. He then disconnected the call.

Victim Location 83634

Total money lost $13,500

Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

the scammer prays on people that they have won large amount of money and ask to wire money to a bank and they also give a persons name and bank it goes to.

Victim Location 97389

Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

I recieved a call from 876-392-2437 (Jamaica). The man sounded like a female with a very strong accent, stated that I have won $5,000,000 and a 2018 Mercedes Benz car. He took care in explaining that this was the first winning number in Oregon and all I had to do to feel confident that this is real was to call PCH at 916-237-0204, when given options, I was to choose option #3, they would ask for my name and as soon as I said my name, I was to enter a 7-digit code that he also provided me with. The after I heard that I had actually won this $5,000,000 and 2018 Mercedes Benz, I should call him back for further instructions to schedule delivery. I did call the number for Publisher’s Clearing House and chose option 3, stated my name to the machine and then put in the 7-digit code. I was indeed told that my account balance was $5,000,000 and a brand new 2018 Mercedes Benz. I called the number back after hanging up and chose the option to speak with a representative. When someone answered the line I explained that I just received a call from Jamaica, stating my winnings. He said…"Oh no ma’am, just hang up your phone! Have a nice day". Then we were disconnected.

Before ending the call from the Jamaica number, I did ask…"And at what point in this process is this going to cost me money?" He was emphatic that the money was already mine and I wouldn’t have to buy anything to collect it. Then went on to say congratulations about 6 times with zeal.

I blocked the Jamaica number and have received four ‘Restricted’ numbers in the past 15 minutes. I won’t answer those.

Victim Location 97834

Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

Consumer called and advised she received a call from PCH asking if she would be home at 2:00 today and the gentleman asked if she had lived alone – she advised no she lives with her son. The gentleman kept repeating himself and she now knows the 876 area code came from Jamacia

Victim Location 97394

Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

Yesterday abt. 8:15 a.m., I received a call from a man who identified himself as Mr. David Green from Publisher’s Clearing House who informed me that I had won $2.5 million, $1,000.00 Mo. for life, and a new Mercedez. Asked if I could be at home at 1:00 p.m. for the camera crew and presenter(s) to arrive. Asked if I had anyone close to me that I would want to give a ‘nice surprise’. He protested strenuously when I suggested I, at that time, tell my daughter about this [‘surprise’. Wanted to keep the surprise energy for the photos. Then asked me if I had a car…was there a WalMart close by…could I go to WalMart and back before the group arrived. He said that in order to get the prize, I needed to pay a $150 storage fee for my ‘package being held in Salem’. I was to transfer the money to Merchant Banker, attn. Banisha Burke, St. Petersburg Florida. He kept admonishing me to keep ALL of this secret until they arrived. He actually talked to me about 15 minutes, giving instructions on how I should react for the cameras when the crew arrived…suggesting that I make my house look as neat and attractive as possible, etc. At the time, I was pretty sure that PCH wouldn’t make a call first…and was quite suspicious of the call. THEN came the money transfer request…I knew for sure! I told him I thought this was a scam and hung up. He called back and asked why I hadn’t indicated my feelings earlier. I hung up. He called again. I did not answer the 3rd call. Note: He does know my phone #’s and my address. Perhaps, he has other information about me. I am concerned. Please see if you can track this guy (or group) down and stop these activities. Thank you.

Victim Location 43219

Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

I talked to a woman who said I had won Publisher’s Clearinghouse. She said I won 1/2 million. Her accent was Filipino, and she said her name was Rodriguez. I asked why she was Filipino, with a Hispanic name, She stammered then said she was 1/2 & 1/2. She asked my age, and if I lived alone. She asked me to hold on the line to talk to a lawyer. Nobody came on the line, so I hung up.

Victim Location 44903

Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

My wife received a call from a man who said he was John Ford with Publisher’s Clearinghouse. He told my wife she had won $950,000 and a Mercedez Benz. He told her the Lord was with her today. He asked her if she was sitting down. He told her she would need to pay $955.00. He said, "One percent is all it costs, just one percent for all this money". He told her to go to Walmart. He had a foreign accent. He kept telling her "do not hang up this phone". She was changing her clothes to go. I stopped her.

Victim Location 83716

Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

Call claiming to be from Publisher’s Clearing House. Said I won a Mercedes Benz and 3.5 million dollars, all I had to do was pay 499 in taxes to claim it. Hung up then.

Victim Location 83657

Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

I called PCH and they confirmed that they were not affiliated with the caller(s).

Told me I had won 2.5 million and a new Mercedes Benz.

Victim Location 98661

Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

I just received a phone call from a person claiming to work for UPS in Seattle. His name was William Cooper and he said he had a check from Publishers Clearing House to be delivered to me today. He said he called the ScamPulse.com and got clearance from them(whatever that means!)He gave me his phone number to call (1-876-475-9095) after I had checked out with Bank of America( which is actually our bank). I was supposed to call 914-888-2431 with pin # 6864 and account # 852456. All I had to do is verify that I was who I said I was by giving them my checking account number and pin! This check was supposedly for 9 million dollars!! He kept asking me if I really was who I said I was. He just called back as I am typing this and said "why didn’t you call me back? Did you check your account?" I said no, I don’t do this kind of thing without discussing it with my husband first and he is not here. He said to call back as soon as possible. He said it was verified by Publishers Clearing House and I had filled out forms, which could go back years, which I never have done. PCH never would call, they would come to your door personally if you participated in that sort of thing. Beware, he was very slick.

Victim Location 83686

Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

Guy called, he said I was elidigle for 4.5 million and a mercede benz through PCH. He sounded from india, I couldnt understand. He put someone else on the line. Wanted me to meet him at the bank to pay to reguister to recv a package. I said the banks are closed. He said the next morning at 9:30am. said $350

Victim Location 99003

Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

Got the call and ask if i remember entering PCH, says i won 2nd place, wants to know my account # and told her i do not bank w/ BofA. I told her you have to go to my trustee and ask for account number w/ my trustee. I told her i do not have an account number with my trustee and she hung up.

Says I won $350,000.

Victim Location 83619

Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

John Washington of Publishers Clearing House called me, I was told I won 3.5 million dollars. But they wanted me to pay 500 upfront for the taxes

Victim Location 59725

Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

I got a call stating that I won $650,000 and a 2017 Chevy Malibu. I was very cautious, as I did not believe it. He asked me to take a piece of paper, and write down specific information; What I won, the name of the company, Winner ID#, package #, check #, claim reference #, deliver #, and his name (which he scolded me for not remembering).

The other requirements (the above information was the first) were a valid ID and a claimer’s receipt. He went on to say that they had paid 25% out of 25% of the IRS fees, which left me a balance of $505.00 to pay in order to get the claimer’s receipt. I said that I do not have $505.00. He said, "when are you going to be able to get the claimer’s receipt"? I said, "I don’t have $505.00". He asked again," when are you going to be able to get the claimer’s receipt? I said, "when am I going to be able to get $505.00?" He said, "Yes". I said, "Never. I have bills to pay. He hung up on me.

Also during the phone call, we got disconnected and he called back and demanded "Why did you hang up on me". I replied that I didn’t hang up on him, we were disconnected

Victim Location 83221

Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

I received a call from phone number 876-599-3312 saying that I won a publishers clearing house prize of $976,000.00. He identified himself as the Publisher’s Clearinghouse driver. He wanted to know my address so he could deliver the check. I hung up, and when I called him back he identified himself as the driver again.

Victim Location 45011

Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

I have received numerous calls from “Gloria Wilson” (876-474-9525). The number appears to be coming out of Jamaica. They have called my husband about 50 times in the last week & a half. They claim my husband has won $43,000.00 and a car from Publishers Clearinghouse, but we were told to keep it quiet. We were told to mail money to Nancy Flores at 2981 E. Highway 80, Mineola, Texas 75773.

At first we were told to send $750.00. When we said that we didn’t have that, it was reduced to $275.00. We stated that we didn’t have that either, it was then reduced to $150.00.

I did not send any money but I told the caller that I did so that she would stop calling us.

I am notifying the BBB & Channel 9 News.

Victim Location 83816

Type of a scam Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes

Called saying consumer had won $5,000,000