Crime & Safety
Police Warn of Publishers Clearing House Scam
Town and Country police are warning residents to be wary of calls about alleged Publishers Clearing House winnings. Authorities say it may be a scam and they advise residents not to give out information.
The following information was supplied by the Town and Country Police Department.
Town and Country police sent out an email alert stating that investigators recently responded to a call regarding a possible fraud case.
According to police, a resident received a phone call on the afternoon of Oct. 19 from a man who told her that she had won $250,000 from Publishers Clearing House and the check would be delivered on Oct. 20.
Find out what's happening in Town And Country-Manchesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The caller reportedly asked the woman for her address and gave a call back number with an 876 area code, the email alert stated. Police were called and officers discovered the area code is in Jamaica. When the phone number is called, you will be charged between $10 and $100 per minute.
"The scammers will attempt to keep you on the phone as long as they can, while you are draining your pocketbook and filling there’s," police stated in the email.
Find out what's happening in Town And Country-Manchesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Town and Country police provided the following information from Publishers Clearing House on common scams.
Publishers Clearing House (PCH) does NOT make or authorize outgoing calls to consumers to sell merchandise or magazines, or to solicit contest entries. Our major winners are notified by mail or in person (at our option) and we never phone ahead to disclose that someone has won a major prize. If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from Publishers Clearing House and are asked to send money, pay a fee or pre-pay taxes to enter, collect or claim a sweepstakes prize - STOP - you have not heard from the “real” Publishers Clearing House. The call you received was most likely from a fraudulent sweepstakes scam operation. At Publishers Clearing House the winning is always free.
If you believe you are the victim of a “Fake Check Scam” using the Publishers Clearing House name or logo, please contact us immediately by calling our toll free number at 1-800-645-9242.
Residents with concerns can also call the West Central Dispatch Center at 314 737-4600.
Anonymous tips can also be called in to St. Louis Regional CrimeStoppers at 866-317-TIPS (8477).
*Please contact Local Editor Gabrielle Biondo with any questions regarding the above report.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.