Publishers Clearing House scams: What they are and how to avoid them

What is Publishers Clearing House?

Publishers Clearing House (PCH) is a direct-to-consumer marketing company that is best known for hosting sweepstakes contests. PCH ran its first sweepstakes in 1967 and gradually increased the size of its prizes as the contests grew in popularity. By the 21st century, the company started moving away from magazine sales, shifting its focus to online sweepstakes and other digital content. As of 2024, PCH had completely stopped selling magazines and merchandise, shifting its sweepstakes operations entirely online. 

Is Publishers Clearing House a scam?

No, PCH is a legitimate company that hosts real sweepstakes and prize giveaways. The company has given away over half a billion dollars since its inception. However, the PCH name is often associated with scams, thanks to fraudsters who impersonate the brand to steal money from victims. 

This situation is further complicated by the fact that the Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit against PCH in 2023 due to unclear and misleading language on its website. This language insinuated that consumers would need to make a purchase to enter a PCH sweepstakes, although this wasn’t actually true. Since then, PCH has taken action to address these problems, and has changed its sweepstakes entry process to provide more clarity for customers. 

PCH operates its sweepstakes legitimately and does not charge fees to claim prizes. If you win a PCH sweepstakes, you’ll never have to send in cash or a gift card to claim the money. 

The company also makes official winner announcements through verified communication channels — you’ll never be contacted via phone, email, or social media. If you win less than $600, you’ll receive a letter and a check in the mail. If you win more than $600, PCH’s “Prize patrol” will visit your home in person with an oversized check, balloon, and flowers. 

How do Publishers Clearing House scams work?

Unfortunately, many scammers impersonate Publishers Clearing House in an attempt to steal money and access personal information from unsuspecting victims. If you’re targeted by a PCH scam, you’ll likely receive an odd phone call or email. These scammers use phone or email spoofing to make the call or message look like it’s coming from a legitimate source. 

A telltale sign of this scam is an urgent request for money or personal information. The scammer will say you need to wire them money for processing fees or to cover taxes on your winnings. In some cases, the scammer will request gift cards instead of cash. On top of that, they may also request sensitive information like your Social Security number or bank details to “verify your identity.” 

The scammers typically give a very short deadline to send the money — often less than 24 hours. This is a common social engineering tactic because it encourages victims to act quickly without thinking things through. After stealing the money, these scammers often use personal information they’ve collected from victims to conduct more extensive identity theft scams. 

How to identify a Publishers Clearing House scam

If you think you’re being targeted by a PCH scam, watch out for the following red flags: 

• You receive a message about a sweepstakes you don’t remember entering. PCH will only contact people who have entered a contest through their website, app, or other official channels. 
• The message comes via phone, email, or social media. The real PCH team doesn’t use these channels to contact winners. 
• The scammer requests a large sum of money with a short deadline. They may ask you to wire money, pay via Venmo, CashApp, or Zelle, or send gift cards. They’ll also ask you to send the money to a strange account or location that’s not affiliated with PCH. 
• You’re asked to send back part of your winnings. Some scammers will send you a fake check up front and then ask you to wire some of the money back to them. If you do this, the check will bounce and you’ll ultimately lose the money. 
• The scammer requests personal information. They’ll claim they need to verify your identity before you can access your winnings but will likely use this information for identity theft instead. 

If you receive a phone call or message that you think may be a PCH scam, follow these steps to stay safe. 

1. 1.Don’t respond to the message. It’s best to err on the side of caution. If there’s any sign that an email, phone call, or social media message could be a scam, don’t respond. 
2. 2.Don’t click on email messages. If a PCH scammer contacts you via email, don’t click on any links in the message or open up any attachments, because they could result in unwanted malware downloads. 
3. 3.Document the scam. Take screenshots of any messages and save any voicemails the scammer sends to you. 
4. 4.Report the scam. Send the evidence of the scam to the Federal Trade Commission, Better Business Bureau, and even your email provider. 
5. 5.Contact PCH directly. The company wants to be aware of scammers impersonating them. Call or email their customer service team directly to keep them informed. 

What to do if you have fallen for a Publishers Clearing House scam

Falling for a PCH scam can be devastating, particularly if you’ve lost large sums of money. However, you can take a few steps to recover your finances, protect your personal information, and help others avoid these scams in the future. 

1. 1.Collect evidence of the scam. This evidence could include screenshots of scam messages, saved voicemails or call recordings, and fake checks or letters. The more evidence you have, the easier it will be for the authorities to help you. 
2. 2.Contact your local authorities right away. If you lost money in the scam, you’ll need to file a police report. Your local police department may also refer you to federal agencies for further support. 
3. 3.Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Visit reportfraud.ftc.gov to make an official scam report, and then visit identitytheft.gov to report a possible identity theft. The FTC will provide you with a recovery plan to help you resecure your bank accounts. 
4. 4.Contact your bank. Many banks have fraud protection services to protect against unauthorized activity. They can also help you switch or cancel accounts if necessary. 
5. 5.Freeze your credit. This step will prevent the scammer from opening new credit accounts in your name, which could cause your credit score to drop drastically. 
6. 6.Spread awareness. Tell others in your community about the scam to help them stay safe. 

How to report a Publishers Clearing House scam

Spreading awareness about PCH scams will help prevent others from becoming victims. Here are some places where you can report these scams. 

• FTC: The FTC takes legal action to protect consumers against scammers. 
• USPS: If you received a fake check in the mail, get in touch with USPS so it can block similar letters in the future. 
• Better Business Bureau (BBB): Submit a report using the BBB’s online scam tracker.
• Local authorities: Call or visit your local authorities if you’ve lost money in a PCH scam. 
• Your email provider: If you received a scam email, contact your email provider directly to block these messages in the future. 
• Social media platforms: If you received a scam message on Facebook, Instagram, or another social media platform, contact the platform’s customer service team to let them know. 

Tips to protect yourself from Publishers Clearing House scams

Being proactive can help protect you from Publishers Clearing House scam calls and emails. Follow these tips to stay safe and protect your personal information. 

• Verify all communications: If you’re unsure whether a message is coming from PCH or from a scammer, get in touch with the company at 1-800-566-4724 or through its website. 
• Never pay to claim a prize: PCH will never charge you money if you win a sweepstakes. 
• Be skeptical of unsolicited messages: Approach messages or phone calls from people you don’t know with extreme caution. 
• Look for red flags: Scam messages are often full of spelling and grammar mistakes. They may also come from odd or misspelled email addresses. 
• Use cybersecurity tools: Antivirus software and other cybersecurity tools can help you avoid scams in real time. 
• Report suspicious activity immediately: Report signs of a scam as soon as possible to prevent them from spreading. 
• Educate yourself and others: Stay up to date with the latest scams and share what you’ve learned with friends and family to help keep everyone safe.