Publishers clearing house scam email
The infamous Publishers Clearing House (PCH) scam!
Publishers Clearing House is a legitimate company that runs sweepstakes and contests, but unfortunately, scammers have been using their name to trick people into sending money or revealing personal information. Here's what you need to know:
The scam:
Scammers send fake emails, letters, or messages claiming that you've won a large cash prize or sweepstakes from Publishers Clearing House. The message usually includes a sense of urgency, stating that you need to respond quickly to claim your prize or risk losing it.
Red flags:
- Urgency: Legitimate Publishers Clearing House contests do not create a sense of urgency to claim a prize. Scammers want you to act quickly to avoid losing your "prize."
- Request for money: Scammers may ask you to pay a fee to claim your prize, which is a clear red flag. Publishers Clearing House never asks winners to pay a fee to receive their prize.
- Poor grammar and spelling: Scammers often make mistakes in their emails, letters, or messages. Legitimate Publishers Clearing House communications are professionally written and free of errors.
- Unsolicited contact: If you didn't enter a contest or sweepstakes, it's unlikely that Publishers Clearing House would contact you out of the blue.
- Lack of personalization: Legitimate Publishers Clearing House communications usually address you by name and include your entry information. Scammers often use generic greetings and don't know your personal details.
What to do:
- Delete the email: If you receive a suspicious email or message claiming you've won a prize from Publishers Clearing House, delete it immediately.
- Verify the authenticity: Go to the Publishers Clearing House website (pch.com) and check their official contests and sweepstakes pages. If you're unsure about a specific message or email, contact their customer service department to verify its legitimacy.
- Don't respond or engage: Never respond to a suspicious email or message, as this can lead to further scams or phishing attempts.
- Report the scam: If you've received a suspicious email or message, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and your email provider's abuse department.
Remember, it's always better to be cautious when receiving unsolicited messages or emails claiming you've won a prize. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is!