I received a call from PRIVATE NUMBER who introduced himself as ---- Edwards (I forget his first name). He said he was from Publisher's Clearing House. "Congratulations, you have won $2,500,000 and a Mercedes Benz!" I told him I would feel good about the news if I had the check in my hand, or the money in the bank. He agreed but indicated that I should do something for him. At the cost of only $100 I would have the money tax free. "The IRS takes a lot of money out of the total winnings." I told him that they are not supposed to charge any fee for sweepstakes winnings. He told me the rules have been changed by the FTC. He asked me if I would cooperate. I told him No and hung up. I called Publishers Clearing House and they told me they do not alert any winner by telephone.
Great Job Mike. If we had more folks like you in the world these guys would starve to death and disappear from the gene pool. (Did I say that out loud? Silly me.)
+4
Pat
| 4 replies
My 81 year old father got taken for $300 yesterday. They called claiming he had won $850,000 but needed to send $300 via Western Union to claim the prize. Unfortunately he fell for it and sent the money. Then they called back and said that if he sent $850 more, they could have Fed Ex deliver the check that day. Luckily he started to realize that he had been had and did not send any more money. People who take advantage of our Senior citizens are the scum of the earth.
+1
Victor Miller, Palmyra PA
| 2 replies
I received several phone calls from this number on 7/01/2011 and previous dates. A guy named David Branston (spoke with an accent) said that he was a representative from Publishers Clearing House. He said my father won 2.5 million dollars and a new Mercedes car...all I had to do is pay taxes of $700. After many phone calls later, Branston decided I only had to pay $275 in taxes. Branston wanted me to wire the money (Western Union) to an offshore account to a Kerry Williams at St. Ann, JA, WI. Another person, who claimed to be Branston's general manager was a Mike Larry.
When I told Branston that I was not his father, Branston told him that he would change the paperwork to Miller's name.
I also found a complaint blogged to the phone number of 909-271-5895. It comes back to a Chino, CA phone number, however, the person said he was in Las Vegas (which is in Nevada). Another phone number associated with this scam is 228-206-9165, a Biloxi, MS phone number. I couldn't find out any information on this phone number.
I received a very similar call and hung up and they called back saying that they were approved by the Better Business Bureau which I know was a lie but fortunately I didn't pick up phone, it was on the answering machine.
0
Brenda
My mother got a letter in the mail stating they were from Publisher's Clearing House and that she won 650,000$, the phone number was 1-800-971-4274 and to ask for Paul Thompson. I called the real PCH and they confirmed what I already suspected... it was a fraud!! Well, I called that 1 800 number and some guy answered "PHC"..yeah, didn't even say Publisher's Clearing House and I called him out and told him I know his letter was a fake! He told me to stick the letter up my ass. People like this are scum! 1-800-971-4274 PASS THE WORD!!
-1
mad
| 2 replies
I am sad to say I fell for it an lost three thousand dollars, greed will sometimes blind you to reality. I got the same call and was then asked to send the money over to san Juan purtorico to a man named Rudy Jimminez Brenez I was such a sucker they tried again this year. Fool me once shame on you fool me twice shame on me.
I saw your post...sorry to hear about your loss. These scam artists, I don't know how they sleep at night, the scumbags. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
I got a call at 5:30 am today(march 1, 2012) which made me instantly pissed to be woke up that early, then it turned out to be a guy with a bad accent telling me I won 2.5 mil and a Mercedes. I then needed to call the claims office. I did nothing and the guy called back later and said I needed to call claims dept. and again gave me the phone number, I didn't call again and low and behold about 30 seconds later my phone rang and I answered it and the same guy says "Claims , how may I help you?" as if I had called them. What amateurs. I told him I gave the info and the two phone numbers to local police and they hung up on me and calls have ended. PCH doesn't notify by phone and doesn't make you pay to get your award. This guy was so bad at scamming me it was almost funny.
Oh the phone numbers are here, 1-876-883-8407 is the guys direct line, most likely the one that will keep him from getting sleep if called all the time. The other is 1-876-583-2241(this is the all important claims dept) please everyone take a minute to call this guy and tell him he won PCH 2.5 mil sweeps and see how he likes getting woke up at 5:30 am. If we all bombard his phones he will stop until he gets new phones. I think it would be funny if we start calling and telling him he won like he has been doing to others. Or just call and wake him up at all hours.
I am so sorry that this happened to you as well as the other writers Father, but I applaud your courage and thank you for warning, if it wasnt for this site, I think many more of us may have fallen as well.
I hope you get some good Karma and money somehow makes its way back to you.
0
jessica
i know the fealing i get all kinds of wierd calls now that i have gone online to enter pch they satart about 6 in the morning and go all day its crazy. people say you have won this or that but always want money in the process and i know im not giving money to someone i dont no or giving any of my information
+3
Regulus
| 2 replies
These Buffoons almost took my Mother for over $10,000.00 a couple of years ago. She had just Cashed the Check they had sent her and was going over to Western Union to wire the money when I realised what was happening and SNATCHED the Money from her along with a Photocopy of the check she had made (Thank God she did that!). Locking myself in my bedroom I "Googled" them name on the check and my Computer had a HISSY FIT! SCAM Notices Everywhere! Then her Bank called and they said they just got the word the check she cashed in was worthless, and this "Contest" was a Scam. We both went to the Bank and re-deposited the Money (Fortunately the bank waived the Check Return Fee), and The Police came by and asked us some questions we gave them the Bogus Check. There's a Billboard in my town with a Digital Readout saying that (To Date) These Scammers have bilked over $47,000,000 from unwary victims, mostly Senior Citizens.
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