Publishers Clearing House Impersonation
A caller says you won a Publishers Clearing House prize and must pay taxes or fees up front to receive it — the real PCH never asks winners to pay.
Think a message like this reached you? You can check it right now.
What this scam is
You are told you have won a large PCH sweepstakes prize (cash, a car, weekly payments) and just need to pay taxes, delivery, or a processing fee first, often by gift card or wire, and keep it secret until the 'prize patrol' arrives. The real Publishers Clearing House notifies major winners in person and never asks winners to pay anything. Any request for money to claim a prize is a scam.
What it usually looks like
- A call or letter announcing a big PCH win.
- A demand for taxes/fees before you can receive it.
- Instructions to pay by gift card or wire.
- A request to keep it secret until delivery.
Common warning signs
- Paying anything to receive a prize.
- Gift-card or wire 'fees.'
- Secrecy and urgency.
- You never entered the sweepstakes.
Example wording scammers use
“Congratulations! You've won $2.5 million from Publishers Clearing House. Pay the $850 tax fee to release your prize.”
“Keep this confidential until our Prize Patrol arrives — just send the delivery fee first.”
These are illustrative examples written by ScamSplain, not real messages.
What the scammers want
- Upfront 'tax' or 'fee' payments.
- Gift cards or wires.
- Secrecy so no one warns you.
What to do
- Never pay to claim a prize — real sweepstakes are free to win.
- Hang up; PCH does not call winners demanding fees.
- Do not keep 'winnings' secret from family.
- Report the call.
What to do if you already responded
- If you paid by gift card, contact the issuer right away.
- Tell a trusted family member.
- Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov.