It’s the con that keeps coming back – the one known as the Publisher’s Clearinghouse scam.

WEIS Radio is receiving reports that Cherokee County residents are once again getting calls from people claiming to be with Publisher’s Clearinghouse – and of course, it’s the same old story.

Actually, there are several slightly different versions but this seems to be the most common one.

The scammer tells the intended victim they’ve won a million dollars or in some cases it may be two million, five million or whatever – in other words, a lot.  In addition to that they tell you you’ve won a new car – all this fabulous stuff – and all you have to do in order to collect your “prizes” is send them some money for whatever reason – sometimes they say for taxes sometimes they say it’s for delivery fees – again, whatever. 

It doesn’t matter.  It’s all a lie anyway.  Remember, if you ever have to pay anything in order to collect your prizes it’s not a legitimate contest. 

And another thing – if you didn’t enter any contest, you sure didn’t win it!

WEIS Radio News spoke directly with a representative from Publisher’s Clearinghouse who informed us that if someone wins a significant amount of money, Publisher’s Clearinghouse does NOT contact that person through the U.S. Mail, via e-mail or by phone instead, just like in the television commercials – they show up at your home with the prize, in person.

So if you receive any similar notification that you have “won” a large amount of money from Publisher’s Clearinghouse – don’t get your hopes up and above all don’t fall for the gimmick being used by these crafty con-artists.  If you’re ever actually a winner you’ll see a van pull up in front of your home and a bunch of very nicely-dressed people will come to your front door with check in hand.