CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has issued a warning to consumers to watch for a scam bearing the name of Publishers Clearing House, the Attorney General and the Governor.
A letter with the state seal of West Virginia, supposedly signed by Gov. Jim Justice and bearing Morrisey's name, recently surfaced. It claims Morrisey flew to New York to meet with the Board of Directors of Publishers Clearing House to negotiate the prize for the recipient of the letter.
“That is false, I never went to New York to negotiate any sweepstakes winnings for consumers,” Morrisey said in a press release. “We will never contact consumers to notify them of their winnings.
Morrisey
"Indeed, it can be a welcome surprise to unexpectedly win something but it’s crucial that consumers don’t let the excitement overshadow caution and smart thinking.”
The scammers asked the consumer to pay $55,913.53 to claim the prize of a little more than $212,000, which will be “delivered at your doorstep.” The consumer who received the letter reportedly sent the scammers $8,000 to claim the supposed prize. The check payments went to an address in Stockton, Calif.
Also, there were grammatical errors in the letter.
“That’s one of the warning signs of a scam letter — it usually contains inconsistencies and grammatical errors," Morrisey said. “Look for warning signs such as unusual word choices or improper grammar. Most importantly, never give money to a scammer or allow them to access your credit card or computer.”
Morrisey's office says scammers often use a familiar name to lull consumers into a false sense of trust and unquestioned acceptance.
Although Publishers Clearing House does award prizes, there are some things to look for to verify the legitimacy of any win:
- Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes are free to enter and winners never pay to receive their prize.
- Consumers should never agree to send cash, wire money or provide account numbers associated with a credit/debit card or bank in order to claim a prize.
- Publishers Clearing House representatives also will never call winners or ask for personal information. They instead notify winners in-person or via certified mail.