Published: 6/22/2022

THE GILES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN RECEIVING PHONE CALLS ABOUT AN OLD SCAM REAPPEARING: THE PUBLISHERS CLEARING HOUSE SCAM. THE SCAMMERS MOSTLY TARGET VICTIMS OVER THE PHONE, THOUGH SOMETIMES ALSO BY TEXT OR E-MAIL. THE SCAMMER USUALLY STARTS WITH A CALLER TELLING THE VICTIM THEY HAVE WON THE PUBLISHER’S CLEARING HOUSE SWEEPSTAKES - BUT IN ORDER TO CLAIM THE PRIZE THEY HAVE TO PAY TAXES AND FEES UP FRONT. SOMETIMES SIMILAR SCAM COME WITH A LETTER OR A FAKE CHECK THAT WOULD BOUNCE IF DEPOSITED. THERE ARE MANY VARIATIONS, BUT THE ADVICE IS THE SAME - YOU NEVER HAVE TO PAY MONEY TO GET MONEY. ANY PERSON WHO WANTS YOU TO SEND THEM MONEY, PERSONAL INFORMATION, BANKING ACCOUNT DETAILS, GIFT CARDS, ETC. IS VERY LIKELY A SCAM.  BE AWARE AND BE SAFE, AND KEEP AN EYE ON ANY SENIOR CITIZENS WHO MAY BE VULNERABLE TO THIS KIND OF SCAMMER.