The Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes is valid. For a considerable time, PCH has held weekly sweepstakes initiatives.
Because PCH assures a lifelong payout of close to $1 million, every contest receives huge amounts of entries. There have been so many newspaper stories regarding fortunate citizens who have won the $1 million sweepstakes, making some folks even more curious about the campaign.
Nevertheless, there are scams involving various PCH sweepstakes – scammers simply cannot pass up an opportunity to profit. Publishers Clearing House (PCH) is a lead generation business that sells goods and magazine subscriptions through sites that offer sweepstakes, prize-based games, search, as well as lottery.
PCH doesn’t request information about bank accounts or even other financial details. To win, no service charge, tax, or special handling pay is necessary. The finalists of the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes receive their awards free.
Even though PCH’s sweepstakes are legit, be wary if you obtain an award alert purporting to be from PCH. Because fraudsters are using the Publisher’s Clearing House title, the firm is very straightforward and cautious regarding how they alert their winners.
Pretenders attempt to persuade their victims that they are genuine by mailing messages or letters that appear to be from Publishers Clearing House. Such scams appear legitimate because they use factual info such as PCH’s logo and employee names.
But that is not the only path fraudsters take. Many will send you a believable fake check. You will be informed that in order to receive your award, you must deposit the check and return a portion of the money for fictitious expenditures.
However, if the check you cash bounces, even if it appeared to clear, you will be liable for the funds you forwarded. Western Union, MoneyGram, and Green Dot MoneyPak cards are the fraudsters’ preferred options for sending money. This is because these methods of transferring cash make it nearly impossible for victims to recover their funds.
Requirements and How to Apply for the Publishers Clearing House Grant Program
PCH sweepstakes can be entered in three different ways: online, by mail, or by phone.
- You could indeed join the present PCH SuperPrize Sweepstakes online by visiting PCH.com or via other PCH properties such as Search and Win or PCH Games.
- You can register by mail by responding to a PCH mail or mailing your admittance to Publishers Clearing House, 101 Winners Circle, Jericho, NY 11753.
- To join by phone, dial 1-800-566-4724 and fill in your PCH Customer ID.
Tips for Recognizing PCH Scams
It’s a fraud if you are notified by anyone claiming to be from Publishers Clearing House or a PCH worker and requested to submit or wire funds, submit a pre-paid gift certificate or a Green Dot MoneyPak card, or redeem a check as well as deliver a percentage back to them as payout in order to claim a Sweepstakes prize. Here are some ways to avoid PCH scams.
- First, verify the names. To acknowledge the validity of your win, call Publisher Clearing House directly.
- Don’t ever pay to receive an award. Demands for upfront costs are a huge red flag! Keep in mind that all the rewards are “free to the winners” (PCH).
- Use caution when disclosing private information. PCH would never request your banking details.
- Don’t let somebody pressure you into making a choice. Genuine winners will not be pressed to move immediately.
- Verify the sender’s email account again. Even though PCH only approaches Prize Patrol winners in person, for rewards below $10,000, PCH may alert winners via mail or by email. That is when you need to pay attention to the sender’s email account.
- You shouldn’t ever utilize links or buttons from untrusted sources. Utilize Trend Micro Check to better recognize frauds: Trend Micro Check is an unrestricted chrome extension and phone app that detects frauds, phishing emails, malware, and risky links.
Conclusion
Even though PCH’s sweepstakes are credible, be wary if you obtain an award alert purporting to be from PCH. Because fraudsters frequently utilize the Publisher’s Clearing House name, the firm is very transparent as well as cautious regarding how they alert their winners.
Scammers are aware of your desire to receive the prize and therefore are looking for ways to take advantage of you by utilizing the PCH sweepstakes as a justification.