Publishers Clearing House Scam Looks to Steal Your Social Security Number and Banking Information

• The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) has seen a rise in Publishers Clearing House scam reports. In fact, in September 2022, the ITRC saw a 240 percent increase in cases regarding the scam. 
• In the Publishers Clearing House scam, identity criminals contact people by phone, email, text and mail, advising them that they are a Publishers Clearing House winner. 
• The criminals claim the victim has won a cash prize or a new car. However, to claim the prize, they must first send money or their Social Security number (SSN). 
• To avoid falling into a Publishers Clearing House Scam, never give your SSN to unverified callers. Also, be suspicious of unsolicited gifts or competition prizes. 
• To learn more, or if you believe you are the victim of a PCH scam, call the ITRC toll-free by phone (888.400.5530) or live-cat on the company website idtheftcenter.org. 

Have you received a phone call, email, text message or physical mail from someone from Publishers Clearing House claiming you won a cash prize or a new car? If so, be weary because it could be a Publishers Clearing House scam. The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) has seen a sharp rise in Publishers Clearing House scam reports – a 240 percent increase in cases in September 2022. While anyone can be a target, there are ways to spot suspicious behavior and avoid the scam. 

Who Are the Targets? 

General public; recipients of unsolicited messages from criminals claiming to be from the Publishers Clearing House 

What is the Scam?  

In the Publishers Clearing House scam, identity criminals contact people by phone, email, text and physical mail, advising them that they are a Publishers Clearing House winner. They claim the prize is cash (typically in the millions of dollars) and, in some cases, a brand-new car. The identity thieves then request that victims send money for taxes on the prize. They also require victims to provide their Social Security numbers (SSNs) and bank account information to claim the prize. 

What They Want  

Identity criminals hope to use the Publishers Clearing House scam to steal your personal and financial information. Your information could be used in many different ways to commit numerous identity crimes. 

How to Avoid Being Scammed 

• Protect your PII. Always verify whom you’re speaking with when asked for personally identifiable information (PII). If you’re unsure, hang up. 
• Be suspicious of unsolicited prizes. If you receive a call about a gift or prize you’ve won in a contest you don’t remember signing up for, ignore it and reach out directly to the source to verify the validity of the message and request. 
• If you signed up, winning is free. Publishers Clearing House advises victims, “winning is free, and you never have to pay to claim the prize.” 

Contact the ITRC  

If you have additional questions about the PCH scam or believe you were a victim of an identity crime, contact us. You can speak with an ITRC expert advisor toll-free by phone (888.400.5530) or live-chat on the company website. Just visit www.idtheftcenter.org to get started.