Publishers Clearing House Scam

DATE & TIME: 08-03-2019 @ 13:30

LOCATION: Beatrice, Nebraska

OFFENSE: Publishers Clearing House Scam

CASE #: 2019-4181

A Beatrice resident received a scam phone call from 876-304-2631 on Saturday afternoon in which a male with a foreign accent advised him he had won second place in the Publishers Clearing House and the Nebraska Lottery, and he would be receiving a check for $1,200.000.00. He was then transferred to a female who told him UPS (United Parcel Service) would be delivering the check, but he had to go to Wal-Mart and send a $699.00 money order in order for UPS to deliver the check. The resident, realizing it was a scam, ended the call. He then notified a Gage County Sheriff’s Office investigator of the scam phone call.

There were several red flags indicating this was a scam: 1. Publishers Clearing House does not call prize/award winners.  2. The Nebraska Lottery is not associated with Publishers Clearing House.  3. The suspects did not know his name/address, yet were going to award him a large cash prize.  4. He had to send money in order to collect his prize.  5. United Parcel Service is not associated with this scam.  6. The Nebraska Lottery does not have contact information for people who purchase tickets.

After confirming the victim had not lost any money, he was advised to alert his financial institution, in case the suspects had elicited any personal or confidential information during the phone call.

The Gage County Sheriff’s Office would urge residents to use caution when dealing with financial situations involving unknown persons, whether it be over the telephone, via e-mail, in person, or online.  Do not give out personal, financial, or confidential information to persons you cannot reasonably determine are legitimate. If you have suspicions, contact a family member, close friend, or financial adviser. If you believe you are being defrauded or scammed, do not give out any information or continue the transaction. Stop communicating with them and contact your local police department or call the Gage County Sheriff’s Office and ask to speak with an investigator.

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903

Investigator T. Hanson #90310