If Publishers Clearing House Calls You, it’s a Scam
On July 21, the Federal Trade Commission released a statement outlining a new scam involving Publishers Clearing House.
Most scammers request the money through Western Union, MoneyGram or a prepaid card. Receiving the money through these third parties makes it almost impossible to trace, meaning consumers may never recover it.
The FTC writes that anyone who requests you send money to claim a prize is part of a scam. Additionally, Publishers Clearing Housesays it will never call you about a prize and will never ask anyone to pay to receive one.
If you’ve received a call from a scammer pretending to be with Publishers Clearing House, report it to the FTC.
Criminals who seek to separate you from your money are everywhere, so protect yourself by creating strong passwords and learning what to do if you think ve been scammed.
The FTC encourages consumers to file a complaint whenever they have been the victim of fraud, identity theft, or other unfair or deceptive business practices. They can do it online, or by calling the FTC's Consumer Response Center at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).