We recently touched on the scam involving the illegal use of the Publisher’s Clearing House name, and we’re still receiving reports regarding the same con game.

Callers have informed us, that they’ve been told by someone claiming to be with Publisher’s Clearing House, that they were a “million dollar prize winner” but FIRST there was a matter of paying a few “fees” before the prize could actually be awarded. 

Scam. 

If you actually win a legitimate contest you do not have to pay any fees or anything else that involves handing over money in order to collect your winnings. 

As a matter of fact, on the official Publisher’s Clearing House website, it clearly says (quote) “Winning is always FREE”.  Remember, just because someone tells you they’re representing Publisher’s Clearing House, doesn’t mean they’re WITH Publisher’s Clearing House.  People working as scammers LIE.  It’s just part of the job description.

We’ve also received reports of people saying that they’re with the Internal Revenue Service then threatening to have the person they’ve called arrested – if they don’t immediately send money to square some sort of “past due tax bill” – which doesn’t actually exist.  Usually they ask for sensitive information such as a credit or debit card number, or banking information; failing that they demand that the victim purchase a Green Dot card and then call them back with the number.

First of all the IRS doesn’t work that way.  If you DO actually have an issue with the IRS they will contact you via registered mail – NEVER by phone, text or e-mail. 

They also do NOT threaten anyone with arrest if they don’t “pay up immediately”.  And they couldn’t do that legally anyway under the circumstances.

This scam and the Publisher’s Clearing House scam are basically the same thing – BOTH can be handled by simply hanging up the phone.

Taking a slightly different approach – someone else has been sending e-mails saying they’re looking for people interested in part-time work; that job reportedly pays $5,000 a month in addition to commissions.

You’re then directed to click on a link to a website – even though the name of that website is not listed anywhere – and the e-mail return address is the same as that of the recipient!

In other words, DON’T CLICK on the link provided.

Be cautious.  Think before you act.  Don’t be a victim.