May 7, 2024, Press Release from the Van Wert County Sheriff's Office: Sheriff Thomas M. Riggenbach released today that his office has received several complaints regarding subjects posing as someone from Publishers Clearing House. The subject(s) are attempting to obtain personal information, social security account information, and banking information. In the latest incident, a citizen traveled with an individual posing as a Publishers Clearing House representative to the bank to withdraw cash. Bank staff alerted law enforcement to the event taking place. These incidents are scams; the individuals may be using other names besides Publishers Clearing House.
Do not go with anyone or meet anyone that you do not know. Many times, scammers will try to convince you that you must pay a fee or taxes to claim your prize. You should never have to pay to claim your prize.
Scammers tend to target the elderly, single, lonely, and isolated residents. Be leery about sharing personal information on social media accounts through email and text.
Be aware of fake checks, bogus offers, fraudulent emails, scam calls, scam texts, etc.
If you are ever contacted by someone claiming you have won a prize or money and they ask you to send or wire money (for any reason whatsoever, including taxes) or send a pre-paid gift card or Green Dot Moneypak card in order to claim a sweepstakes prize — DON'T! It's a SCAM. If you are sent a check, told it's a partial prize award, and asked to cash it and send a portion back to claim the full prize award, DON'T. The check is fake, but the SCAM is real!
Scammers use any means available—mail, telephone, internet, email, and even Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Whatever the method of contact, their main goal is to deceive you into believing you've won a prize and need to send a pre-payment to claim that prize. Do not follow their instructions. It is a scam!
You may also report a scam to the Ohio Attorney General's Office at the website: https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/About-AG/Contact/Report-A-Scam.aspx
