Full Notification

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lt. Sheila B. Cole
864-844-0219

Sheriff Warns of Potential Scam
Anderson, SC (Friday, April 11, 2014 at 9:30a.m.)
Today, Sheriff Skipper indicated that he received information from an Anderson County homeowner regarding a phone scam. The caller claimed that the homeowner had won the Publisher’s Clearing House Sweepstakes and then asked the homeowner to send a certain amount of money in order to claim the prize. The Sheriff wants everyone to be aware that this is a scam.
Per the Sheriff, “It’s like your mother says, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

Scam Avoidance Tips
The Publisher’s Clearing House Learning Center recommends the following tips to avoid this type of scam:
Tip 1: Beware of Fake Check Scams
If you receive a check claiming to be from a legitimate sweepstakes and are asked to cash it and wire or send a portion back -- STOP -- you are the victim of a scam contact. The check is not real! Consumers should always remember that at Publishers Clearing House no payment or fee is ever necessary to enter or claim a prize.
Tip 2: Be Suspicious of Callers Claiming You’ve Won - But Ask You to Send Money
If you receive a telephone call from someone claiming you have won a sweepstakes prize but are asked to send money to claim it -- STOP -- you have not heard from a legitimate sweepstake company. At Publishers Clearing House we do not notify our contest winners by phone.
Tip 3: Be Wary of E-mails Claiming You’ve Won – and Asking You to Send Money
If you receive an e-mail notifying you that you have won a major sweepstakes prize, but are asked to provide personal financial information, or send money to claim the prize -- STOP -– you have most likely been contacted by a fraudulent sweepstakes scam operator. At Publishers Clearing House we do not notify major prize winners by e-mail.
Tip 4: Never Give Your Credit Card Number to Collect a Prize
If you are asked to provide your credit card number or provide your financial bank account information in order to claim a sweepstakes prize -- STOP. Fraudulent scam artists often request this information and then go on a spending spree with your credit card; or wipe out your bank account.
Tip 8: Contact PCH: Know the Company Conducting the Sweepstakes
PCH provides customers with assistance and can answer any sweepstakes questions you may have. If you wish to report a scam contact or you simply want to reach Publishers Clearing House, call toll-free: 1-800-392-4190. If you believe you received a suspicious email using our name and logo, you may forward it to our fraud reporting mailbox, [email protected]. You can also write to: Publishers Clearing House, 101 Winners Circle, Port Washington, NY 11050.
If you believe you have been the victim of a fraud, contact your local law enforcement agency. You can also contact your local consumer protection officials and file a complaint with the National Fraud Information Center at www.fraud.org. Your complaint may help others and will be useful to law enforcement in stopping the scams.
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