The Rogers County Sheriff’s Office is warning people of a scam that makes them think they have won the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes.
Deputies say an elderly person was recently scammed out of $17,000.
Sheriff Scott Walton warns that scam artists are sending out real looking checks in an attempt to get people to send money.
The scam artist sends an official looking letter claiming to be from a legitimate sweepstakes.
The letter may illegally use the name of a well- known company like Publishers Clearing House or a sound alike name in an attempt to build trust.
The letter encloses a real looking check.
It may say that you were given “an advance on a sweepstakes prize” and that some “fee, tax or additional payment” is necessary.
A legitimate sweepstakes will never ask you to send money to enter a sweepstakes, claim a prize, or to pay a fee, tax or deposit.
Consumers should always remember that at Publishers Clearing House no payment is ever necessary to claim a prize.
If you believe you are the victim of a “Fake Check Scam” using the Publishers Clearing House name or logo, call Publishers Clearing House at 1-800-645-9242.
