Don’t Fall for Suspicious Prize Notifications

An elderly lady named Gloria Rodriguez was recently tricked into believing she had won millions of dollars in a Publishers Clearing House scam. Eventually, she lost $135,000 and even her home due to the fraudulent scheme. Gloria has shared her unfortunate experience with the media to warn others about falling victim to similar scams.

Scams like the one Gloria encountered often begin with a phone call claiming to be from Publishers Clearing House, offering a substantial cash prize. Gloria was informed that she had won $5.2 million, but in order to receive the prize, she needed to send money first to facilitate the transfer between states. Gloria, who had been a customer of Publishers Clearing House since 2016, did not suspect any foul play initially. She mentioned, “He knew my address. The history of my spending with the company.”

From March 2018 to September 2019, Gloria was bombarded with daily calls requesting more money, assuring her that she could withdraw from the deal at any time and receive a full refund. It was only later that Gloria realized she was being scammed. Unfortunately, by then, she had wired a total of $135,000 to the scammers.

According to the Better Business Bureau, while Publishers Clearing House is a genuine and reputable company known for awarding real prizes, scammers often impersonate them due to their credibility. The BBB advises that the legitimate Publishers Clearing House does not contact winners via phone. Scammers target this particular scam due to the company’s positive image and the fact that many of its customers are elderly and susceptible to manipulation. To protect yourself, remember that you should never have to pay upfront fees to claim a prize. Additionally, be cautious when participating in contests and keep track of them for your security.