Scam Call of the Week: Publishers Clearing House Impersonation Scam

Imagine receiving a call informing you that you’ve won a grand prize from Publishers Clearing House (PCH). Exciting, right? Unfortunately, this week’s scam call takes advantage of that excitement. Scammers are impersonating PCH representatives, claiming that you’re the first-place winner in their sweepstakes. This is the Publishers Clearing House Impersonation Scam, and it’s causing victims to share personal details or even send money upfront to claim a prize that doesn’t exist.

The Details of the Publishers Clearing House Impersonation Scam

The scam begins with a phone call or voicemail from someone pretending to be from PCH, congratulating you on your “big win.” They provide a confirmation number and a callback phone number to claim your prize. But instead of giving you millions, the scammer will ask you for sensitive information—such as your Social Security number—or request that you make a payment to cover “processing fees” before they send the prize.

This impersonation scam is spreading quickly, with the scammers using the trusted PCH name to make their call seem legitimate. Victims may feel pressured to act fast to claim their prize, but that’s exactly how these fraudsters reel people in.

Brand Exploited: Publishers Clearing House / Fake Contest Winner Scam
Fraud Score: 0.80

Actual Audio of the Publishers Clearing House Scam

“This is a very important message from the Publishers Clearing House headquarter in 1300, Jericho Quadrangle, suite 300, Jericho, New York, signed and approved by the Sweepstakes Audit Bureau. This is Susan Williamson, the vice president of Winning Experiences Publisher’s Clearing House sweepstakes. Congratulations on being a first-place winner from our grand promotion. Did you check your mailbox or your email? Your confirmation number is 4258. Please contact our prize claim department at your earliest convenience to make preparations for prize delivery at (929) 220-0281. I repeat. (929) 220-0281. Congratulations once more. Thanks for making it PCH, the house where dreams come true.”

Top Locations Targeted by the Scam

The Publishers Clearing House Impersonation Scam has been reported across multiple states, with the following being hit the hardest:

• New York (NY, US)
• California (CA, US)
• Texas (TX, US)
• Florida (FL, US)
• Ohio (OH, US)

Most Used Numbers in the Scam

Here are the call back phone numbers commonly used by scammers pretending to be from Publishers Clearing House:

• 1-929-220-0281
• 9292200281
• (929)220-0281

Why the Publishers Clearing House Scam Is Dangerous

This scam is dangerous because it preys on people’s excitement and trust. The scammer’s goal is to steal your personal and financial information by getting you to provide sensitive details or make a payment upfront. Once they have your information, they can commit identity theft, steal money from your accounts, or sell your details to other scammers.

The fraud score of 0.80 indicates that this scam is relatively widespread and has fooled many victims, so it’s important to be cautious when receiving unsolicited calls about contest winnings.

How to Protect Yourself from the Publishers Clearing House Scam

Here’s how you can protect yourself:

1. Do a Reverse Phone Number Lookup – If you haven’t entered a contest, you didn’t win one. Enter the phone number from your Caller ID into the YouMail Directory and see if the number is marked a scam.
2. Never Share Personal Information Over the Phone – Be extremely cautious about providing personal details like your Social Security number or bank account information to someone who calls you.
3. Use YouMail to Block Scam Calls – YouMail can detect and block scam calls like the Publishers Clearing House Impersonation Scam before they reach you. By using YouMail’s advanced call-blocking technology, you can protect yourself from fraudsters.

Stay Safe from Scams

The Publishers Clearing House Impersonation Scam is just one of many tactics scammers use to trick people into giving away personal information or money. By staying informed, you can protect yourself from falling victim to these frauds.Want to stay one step ahead? Download YouMail today to block these scam calls and keep your personal information safe.

Find out more about Fraudulent Scams Exploiting Popular Brands at the YouMail Robocall Scam Guide.