A regional organization is warning the public of phone calls claiming consumers have won sweepstake prizes to award.
The Better Business Bureau serving Southwest Missouri has received numerous reports from consumers regarding phone calls from an organization called the America’s Publishers Clearinghouse claiming the consumer has won a large sum of money and that will be delivered personally to their home. Consumers have reported the phone number the organization is calling from uses a Jamaica area code. If called back, consumers can rack up large international phone charges.
To receive the reported winnings, consumers are told they must pay a portion of the money back to the organization for taxes, this is where the scam begins. At no time should the winner of a prize pay any money to receive the award.
“Remember, there’s no way to receive a prize you’ve never entered to win,” said Judy Mills, president/CEO of BBB Serving Southwest Missouri. “Also, any taxes that are required to be paid from legitimate a prize are taken prior to distribution of the award.”
Consumers are encouraged not to give these callers any information about themselves and to report the call to the Federal Trade Commission at 877-382-4357.