Don’t Fall For Publishers Clearing House Scam In Montana

• Montanans lose thousands of dollars a year to scams
• A Publisher's Clearing House Scam is coming back around
• Scam says you've won money and need to pay a fee to get it

Publisher's Clearing House Scams Are Common, Even In Montana

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From NBC Montana:

In 2024, a man in Missoula, Barney Troester, shared that he knew someone that had been scammed out of $5,000 with this very scam.

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It all starts with a letter saying you won a large sum of money from Publisher's Clearing House. The victim in Missoula was told they had won $750,000. There was a phone number they were told to call before cashing the check. It also started to keep the letter and the win confidential. All of that just screams scam.

Publisher's Clearing House Offers This Advice:

"All PCH prizes of $500 or greater are awarded by either certified or express letter or in person by our famous Prize Patrol at our option."

How To Avoid Scams In Montana

First thing that comes to mind, my mom told me when I was a kid, "Always question why you have to keep something a secret". That advice has served me well in life.

Read More: Don't Fall For This Montana Passport Scam

Always verify with the company whether it's a contest or a great deal. What I mean by that is go to the website for the company you're dealing with. NOT the site they tell you on the phone call. The site that comes up when you google it on your computer. Give them a call or contact them on line. If it's NOT a scam, they'll verify everything you've been told.

You should never have to pay to get a prize. Take it from me. I've given away a prize or two in my time. Generally, the money you'd pay would be for taxes.

Tell Your Parents And Grandparents

They're not stupid, but they didn't live in a world where scamming was so easy. My mom is 80 and used to get scammed all the time. I teach her whatever I learn. My mom hasn't been  scammed for a long time. They just need access to the information.

Sources: 98.3 The Key, NBC Montana

Beware of these other scams as well: