Scam Call of the Week: Reader’s Digest Publishers Clearing House Contest Winner Scam

Introducing our latest installment of “Scam Call of the Week,” where we uncover prevalent phone scams targeting unsuspecting individuals. This week, we delve into the world of the Reader’s Digest Publishers Clearing House Contest Winner Scam. Exploiting the trust of renowned brands like Reader’s Digest, Publishers Clearing House, American Sweepstakes, and Bank of America, this scheme lures victims with promises of substantial cash prizes and weekly payouts. Beyond mere annoyance, these deceptive calls pose serious threats, including financial loss, identity theft, and emotional distress. Join us as we unravel the details of this fraudulent tactic and arm you with the knowledge to protect yourself from falling prey to such scams.

In this article, we cover:

The details of the Reader’s Digest Publishers Clearing House Contest Winner Scam

The Reader’s Digest Publishers Clearing House Contest Winner Scam preys on unsuspecting individuals by exploiting the reputations of esteemed brands like Reader’s Digest, Publishers Clearing House, American Sweepstakes, and Bank of America. This deceptive scheme falsely notifies recipients of winning significant cash prizes and weekly payouts through automated phone calls. The scam, first detected in October of 2022, has been particularly prevalent in areas such as Oklahoma, California, Georgia, Texas, and Pennsylvania. The fraudsters use a variety of phone numbers, including 1-888-984-6163, 1-888-481-7129, 1-888-676-2129, 1-888-676-2134, and 1-888-984-6164, to perpetrate their fraudulent activities. Individuals are urged to remain vigilant and avoid falling victim to this deceitful tactic.

Actual Audio of the Reader’s Digest Publishers Clearing House Contest Winner Scam

“Reader’s Digest and publishers clearing house association with American sweepstakes Network calling to announce that you are this month’s lucky winner in our Bank of America giveaway of $6,500,000 along with $7000 weekly. Your confirmation tax ID number is 13. To claim your prize, please contact our claims team at 872-888-1718 or press one to be transferred to a live claim representative.”

Why the Reader’s Digest Publishers Clearing House Contest Winner Scam is dangerous

This scam preys on unsuspecting individuals by exploiting the reputations of esteemed brands like Reader’s Digest, Publishers Clearing House, American Sweepstakes, and Bank of America. Victims are falsely notified of winning significant cash prizes and weekly payouts through automated phone calls, posing serious threats such as financial loss, identity theft, and emotional distress.

How to protect yourself from the Reader’s Digest Publishers Clearing House Contest Winner Scam

To safeguard against this scam, individuals are urged to remain vigilant and avoid falling victim to this deceitful tactic. You should always run a reverse phone number check to find out who is really calling you.

CHECK AND SEE IF A NUMBER HAS BEEN REPORTED AS A SCAM

Sometimes callers spoof phone numbers, making them appear to come from a legitimate source. It’s crucial to never provide personal or financial information over the phone unless verifying the legitimacy of the call. Additionally, consider using call blocking and screening services like YouMail to help identify and block fraudulent calls.

Find out how the scammers got your number

See where your phone number, address, or other personal info is exposed – in seconds. Remove your personal information from data broker sites, reducing the likelihood of you falling victim to fraud, so you can take control of your privacy.

To protect yourself from the Reader’s Digest Publishers Clearing House Contest Winner Scam, download YouMail today.

Find about more Robocall Scams at the YouMail Robocall Scam Guide.

FAQs About the Reader’s Digest Publishers Clearing House Contest Winner Scam

What is the Reader’s Digest Publishers Clearing House Contest Winner Scam?

This scam falsely notifies individuals that they have won significant cash prizes and weekly payouts by exploiting trusted brands like Reader’s Digest, Publishers Clearing House, and Bank of America. It uses automated phone calls to deceive victims.

Why is the Reader’s Digest Publishers Clearing House Contest Winner Scam dangerous?

The scam poses serious threats, including financial loss, identity theft, and emotional distress, by falsely claiming large winnings and manipulating victims into providing personal information.

How do scammers make their calls appear legitimate in this scam?

Scammers often spoof phone numbers to make them appear as if they are from legitimate sources like Reader’s Digest or Publishers Clearing House, increasing the likelihood of victims trusting the call.

What steps can I take to protect myself from this scam?

To protect yourself, avoid providing personal or financial information over the phone, use reverse phone lookup services, and consider call-blocking tools like YouMail to screen suspicious calls.

How can I find out if my personal information has been exposed to scammers?

You can run a free scan with services like YouMail to see if your phone number or other personal data is listed on data broker sites, allowing you to take action to protect your privacy.

Previous Article

Hawaii Phone Number

Next Article

UK Area Code

View Comments (30)
  1. Neil William Burroughs

    I got a scam call on Tuesday 2/27/24 Using Publisher’s Clearing House, Reader’s Digest, Walmart and others. The number used was 877-344-5479. They promised $18,500,00 plus $10,000 a week for life.

  2. I just got a call saying I’ve won $85,000. Prize number was given. Numbers called gmfrom: 1-445-201-2138 and 760-4398.

  3. I just got a call from a private number. A man gave his name and law firm [Millbank]. He gave me his “private” number [315 area code], and said he’d email me and then call me back in 2 hours. He did NOT ask for any security info. He claims Readers Digest contacted the law firm in order to track down winners. He quoted that I entered a drawing on Mar 3. That’s possible-? And he asked if I had received a letter from Readers Digest. No. I get a lot of junk mail, but Readers Digest would stand out. I would’ve noticed. He gave me a code word and told me to call the number in his email message. I’m very hard of hearing, so I’m STILL confused as to whether he said to GIVE the codeword or to ASK for the codeword. Of course, his fellow “agent/s” will be given the same information. $8.8 million. uh-huh. I’m skeptical. But.. WOW..

  4. Patrice Drost

    I just got a call from readers digest prize awards ( in guessing) they were several male voices trying to gain my bank card info, or to get me to purchase a green dot card for 500.00 . They were rude, inexperienced ,and almost mildly upset with me over not being able to give them my card info … beware

  5. Man has repeatedly call my Cell Claiming I won the 6.5 million from reader digest, knew was a scam BUT played along. they wanted me to meet them at a walmart IN MY AREA, to give me my verification code. ask me how long to get to my house . Not once did he say my name, kept asking to talk to my Mr again never asking for him by name. the phone # was restricted calling. Since I got this same call 5yrs ago on Landline I knew then it was crooks. The fact that they call back 3 times on sat, 3 times on Mon will make some people think this is real IT IS NOT..He wants CB 1-876-399-7551

  6. I got a call today said i won only 3.5 million and a 2024 white Mercedes .. they said they’s be here tomorrow with the check.. hmm oh ya i have to pay delivery fee

  7. They called me April 3,2025. I’d won 5 million+ 7 thousand a week for life. Was told they would come to my location with their lawyer, the contest manager, my contest agent( first person on initial call) and two IRS agents to meet meet at“my location” to complete some paperwork then take me to my bank where the first weekly 7 thousand in cash would be sent by wire transfer and where they would hand me the Bank of America cashier’s check for 5 million dollars (but only 1 million of the 5 million would be immediately available on the day of deposit) I was told to open a new bank account ahead of their visit to present me with the check BUT warned NOT to tell the bank or anyone else including family, CPA,
    about my big win before the team escorted me from my location to the bank and the check was deposited. I checked into this and learned Reader’s Digest notifies its Sweepstake winners by registered mail. When my (scam)manager called back and I asked about that he claimed they had notified twice me by priority mail but did not tell me a tracking number so I could not fillow up. I did not follow orders, and spoke with my bank. and with my ID theft service.Both said it was a scam and advised me to file a police report, notify the credit bureaus, and BBB. I will also notify the Office of Texas Attorney General Consumer Fraud Division.

  8. Eura patterson

    I just got a call from a man (David Miller)saying I had win a cash prize of $750000.00 and a 2025 Lincoln navigator plus $5200.00 a week or $20800.00 a month
    Badge#1341Rdc
    Wants me to register at the post office on Monday since I have no access to a green dot money pak card
    Call back number is 3473770477

  9. Michael Jacobs

    I won $3,000,000 plus a 2024 Mercedes. Telephone # is 646-480-9045. I am in Ontario Canada
    When they sent me some information, it was a 2020 Mercedes S560.
    They wanted me to go to the CIBC band and deposit $5500 in an account, and they suggested the presentation would be done there. I didn’t.
    They called again suggesting I go to Canadian Tire, Walmart or Shopper’s and purchase two cards at the cost of $350 each. I didn’t.
    They now want my Bank Account # and Transit number so they can deposit $10,000 in good faith, then I’d get the other $2,900,000. They have quit mentioning the car. I haven’t

  10. I got a call today saying that they were from readers digest senior citizen awards. I said that I haven’t any contact with them.. He said that I had filled out a slip.in Wal-Mart with my name and phone number which my bank card. I told him that was fraud with Wal-Mart, he tries to.insist that it wasn’t. I laughed and then heard a car on the phone go by. I told him that he was a scammer and I would be reporting this phone number. I hung up and blocked the number. I have been getting these type of calls for two week’s. From publisher clearing house and Megan millions awards. Now the numbers are blocked

  11. Received a Call Claiming to be from Publisher’s Clearing House for Reader’s Digest, They asked for my Friend Mr. Brown. The Sammer said You should have received two letters in the mail, I said I haven’t received any. Scammer said Must be a Problem with Canada Post then. I said they were on strike. ( they missed the “were on strike.” ) and proceeded to well “You’ve won Second Prize!”. The Back ground Noise was absent, the Voice seemed like a micro-stutter as if I was listening to a latency issue of a video. I told the scammer “But, I’m not a winner!”. The Scammer Hung up! Question everything, listen closely, remember scam call centers how noisy they were. Learn everything you can. I know for a fact my friend hasn’t subscribed to Reader’s Digest since before 1993!

  12. July 13, 2025 at 1:35 pm

    I got a call today saying that they were calling from American readers digest . He said l was the lucky winner of $9,500.000.00. He ask me if l wanted accept the money privately or if l wanted be published in the paper and on TV. He also wanted to know what l would do with kind of money and l told that it would great to help out some family members, payoff my mortgage and donate to a charity of my liking. He gave a Conf.# 5708US and registration # of 800731200. He then told me he was transferring to someone to help finalize the transaction. Also along with the nine million five hundred thousand dollars, l would receive a white Silverado pickup truck. His name was George Wilson. He transferred me to a woman by the name of Stacy Morgan who wanted to know if l had a cell phone which l told her yes, she then told me to leave my home phone whom George was still on off the hook while l call a number she gave me from my cell phone. 1-469-659-6122 she then wanted me to go out to Walgreens or cvs and purchase a green dot money pack scratch card or an Amazon in the amount of $450.00. She stayed on my cell phone the whole time l was driving to the store,she kept saying don’t hang up just leave your cell phone in the car on the seat and please don’t talk to anyone when you go into the store just keep you business private. I purchased an Amazon card on purpose because l didn’t know what she needed after l purchased the card.l returned to the car and told her that l had the Amazon card. She ask me to open the card and scratch off a number and give it to her and l ask why. She that she needed it to complete the transaction for me to receive my new truck and the $ 9,500.000.00. I told her no that once she delivered the cashiers check and the truck we would negotiate my $450.00 Amazon card at that time. So she said they would put the check and vehicle in storage until the next day because her guys that was going to deliver could keep in there possession overnight because it was against the rules. I said fine with me because l was not giving anything until they honor everything they promised. She has called me for three days and l just ask her not to call me anymore with her scam. I have not heard from her anymore.

  13. John Charles

    Yikes, that sounds like old fashion bait and switch. I saw some guys on YouTube that track these guys back to their operation centers. Crazy. Seems like it is getting worse.

  14. I received a call from Scott Bessent at 214 702 2645 , informing me I have won 7.5 million dollars, 5000 weekly for life and, brand new Red Lincoln Navigator from Readers Digest. I am to go to Dollar General and purchase a money pak card loaded with 499$. At that time they group of people including Sheiffs, lawyers, IRS, ect will deliverer my prize to me. He’s going to call me later when I have the card to set up delivery. NOT

  15. April searles

    Just got a call in Ca, 858-207-8825, saying I won a brand new car and 400k through publishers clearing house. They claim they will be here mon to bring me the money and car. Oct 3rd 2025.

  16. Glenda williams

    Got a call out of Florida saying won money and car ask me to go get a 500.00 green dot card I knew scam.

  17. Glenda williams

    Call from Florida saying won money and car wanted me to get a green dot card 500.00 I knew this was a scam.

  18. I regularly receive these scam calls from Reader’s Digest and/or some similarly well known entity and always smile, thinking “If only!”’ but reality reasserts its presence and I continue on with my day. Years ago I actually had a “Irish Sweepstakes” scammer actually send me a check drawn on a New York bank for several hundreds of thousands of dollars. Fortunately, I checked with my bank and they said,”Sure, you could deposit it, but as soon as we realized it was bogus, you would be charged with fraud and your life would be miserable from then on.”

  19. they have all called me readers digest, and publishers clearing , all new mumbers from above 516 853 7117 with a code number to give Im not returning any calls just passing on , the webb site says no body will call , you will be contacted by certifyed mail only , just for information

  20. The scammers may be moving away from telephone calls to keep themselves hidden. I received a Reader’s Digest Sweepstakes “video call” today via Google Meet to my email address.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *