BBB warns of phony $1 million prize

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Pensacola residents BEWARE. If you've received what appears to be a $1 million grand prize in the mail from Publishers Clearing House, you could be a victim in a sudden nationwide scam.

“Not surprisingly, the revival of this scam comes on the heels of the real Publishers Clearing House awarding a New Jersey woman $5,000 a week for the rest of her life,” said Norman Wright, president and CEO of your BBB serving northwest Florida. “Scammers often take advantage of events in the news, such as Publishers Clearing House giving out a prize, knowing it’ll be on top of people’s minds.”

The phony letters claim the $1 million is a second place prize sponsored by Readers' Digest Magazine. A fake check for as much as $5,900 is also included with instructions to call a Publishers Clearing House Representative. Victims are further instructed to cash the check and then wire $4,000 to Publishers Clearing House in order to receive their prize. Unfortunately, any money wired to these scammers cannot be recovered.

Publishing Clearing House scams have been reported across 20 states, including Florida, since early March. Scammers aren't just using mail to target victims. Some states also reported phone calls from phony Publishers Clearing House representatives.

These crooks are also using business owner's company names. The fake checks sent to the supposed prize winners are copies of checks that were stolen from legitimate businesses. Those checks were stolen from businesses in Alabama, California, Kansas, Washington and West Virginia.