Publishers Clearing House (PCH) scams are one of the most common and persistent fraud types in North America. Scammers impersonate PCH to trick victims into thinking they’ve won a big prize—then demand money or personal info in return.
Let’s break it down:
🚨 How the PCH Scam Works
Scammers will contact you via:
📞 Phone call
📬 Postal mail
💬 Text message
📧 Email
📱 Social media DMs (esp. Facebook/Instagram)
They claim you’ve won millions of dollars, a car, or a prize from Publishers Clearing House—but first, you must:
Pay taxes or fees up front
Provide your banking or Social Security info
Buy gift cards and send them the numbers
Send a “processing fee” via wire transfer (Western Union, MoneyGram, etc.)
Also Read : Tax Relief Scam Calls | How to Stop it
🧠 Red Flags of a PCH Scam
| 🚩 Sign | ❌ Why It’s a Red Flag |
|---|---|
| You’re told to keep it “secret” | Real prizes don’t require secrecy |
| You have to pay to win | PCH never asks for money to receive a prize |
| Contacted out of the blue | Real PCH winners are notified in person or by mail |
| Asked for gift cards or wire transfers | Classic scam technique |
| Urgent pressure to respond fast | Scammers don’t want you to think too much |
✅ What PCH Says Officially
“You never have to pay to claim a prize from Publishers Clearing House. If someone asks you to do so, it is a scam.”
— PCH.com
PCH does not notify big winners via phone, email, or social media.
Real winners are surprised in person by the Prize Patrol, or they get certified mail.
🧾 What to Do if You Get a Scam Message
Do not respond or engage with the scammer.
Do not send money, gift cards, or personal info.
Take a screenshot or write down details.
Report the scam to:
📌 Publishers Clearing House:
🔗 https://www.pch.com/fraud-protection
📧 Email: abuse@pchmail.com🛑 FTC (U.S. Federal Trade Commission):
🔗 https://reportfraud.ftc.gov📮 USPS Mail Fraud:
🔗 https://www.uspis.gov/report
🛡️ Already Sent Money or Info?
If you think you’ve been scammed:
Contact your bank or card provider immediately.
File a police report if money was lost.
Report identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov.
✅ Real PCH Winning Process
| Real PCH Notification | Fake Scam Claim |
|---|---|
| Surprise in-person visits | Phone call or email |
| Certified letter (rare) | Text message or social media DM |
| No payment required | “Send $500 in fees first” |
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