Publisher's Clearing House Scam

DATE & TIME: 07-26-2017 / 0800

LOCATION: Beatrice, Nebraska                    

OFFENSE: Attempted Theft By Deception / Publisher’s Clearinghouse Scam

CASE #: 2017-4111

A resident of Beatrice informed an investigator with the Gage County Sheriff’s Office she and her husband had received a telephone call from a person purporting to be an attorney with the Publisher’s Clearinghouse.  He stated they had won numerous prizes and a $16.5 million dollar prize, however they would need to be registered with the IRS and would have to send him a certified check for $13,000.00.

The Beatrice resident stated she immediately recognized this as a scam based on previous news stories of scams and fraud reports she had heard reported to the Gage County Sheriff’s Office.  She stated the man told her he would call her back the next day to obtain her banking information and provide her with directions on where to send the money.

She stated the male suspect called back again in the morning of 07-27-2017, however neither she nor her husband would provide him with any personal, financial, or other identifying information.  The investigator confirmed with her she did not suffer any financial loss and did not provide him with any confidential, personal, or financial information.  As a precaution, she was advised to double check her bank accounts, credit cards, and to monitor her mail in the future for any fraudulently obtained credit cards opened in her name.

The Gage County Sheriff’s Office urges citizens to use caution when dealing with any situation; online offers or purchases, unsolicited telephone calls, mail or letters asking for or offering money, or even face to face contact, where the transaction does not seem legitimate or seems to be too good to be true.   Anyone with questions, concerns, or who has suffered a financial loss due to a fraud or scam are encouraged to call their local police department or call the Gage County Sheriff’s Office and request to speak with an investigator. 

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903

Investigator T. Hanson #90310