Nearly everyone would love to be that winner you see on TV holding a large sweepstakes check. That’s exactly what con artists are counting on when they claim to be representing Publisher’s Clearing House.
While the commercials look like a dream about to come true, an Edinburgh area man said nightmares could have unfolded if he believed those who told him he was a winner — on three different occasions.
It was just over two years ago that Mahlon “Bud” Dunn was first told that he won $250,000 through the well-known national sweepstakes, he said.
Since the 85-year-old had magazine subscriptions obtained through Publisher’s Clearing House, Dunn was initially optimistic that he really was a winner. But those hopes faded after his attorney confirmed it was a scam, he said.
Several months later, another person claiming to represent Publisher’s Clearing House informed Dunn he had just won $50,000, but this time the Edinburgh man just ignored the notification.
On Monday, Dunn received his third notification over the telephone. This time, the claim was that he had won $4.5 million, as well as a new Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, through the Publisher’s Clearing House sweepstakes, Dunn said.
“I knew it was a scam, but I wanted to see how far this person was going to take it,” Dunn said.
After identifying himself as James Wilson, the caller asked Dunn to write down several items including an 11-number package code, a 16-character serial number, a six-character batch number, the name of an purported attorney — and even the name of Indiana governor Eric Holcomb.
Eventually, the caller instructed Dunn to go to his bank and deposit $3,500 into a particular bank account, Dunn said. At that point, the Edinburgh man ended the conversation by threatening to notify the prosecutor and file charges, he said.
In these types of scams, the victim is often told that in order to collect their prize money, they are required to pay fees and taxes up front, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
Typically, the victim is asked to send money by Western Union or MoneyGram, or by getting a reloadable card or gift card, according to the FTC. Scammers ask for these types of payment because it’s nearly impossible to trace the money, the agency’s website states.
The Edinburgh man said he was taken back when the caller knew the name of his late wife.
“The man made it sound so real,” Dunn said. “I know if he calls the right person, there will be a victim.”
That may have already happened about 20 miles north of Dunn’s home.
A Greenwood woman lost $1,000 though an identical scam on Sept. 17, according to the Indiana Better Business Bureau scam tracker website.
A number of variations on this scam are used by the con artists. Some will send out realistic-looking fake checks in the mail, and tell victims that in order to claim their prize, they need to deposit the check and send some money back for expenses, the FTC website states.
While the check may initially seem to clear the bank, it will later bounce and leave the victim on the hook for any money they sent, according to the FTC.
Most of the recent local scams that have resulted in money being fraudulently taken in the region are those dealing with online purchases, the BBB reports.
However, a variety of sweepstakes or lottery scams under names such as American Cash Awards have been attempted in recent months throughout central Indiana, according to the scam tracker website.
Fortunately, the vast majority of Hoosiers have not fallen for these types of scams. That includes a Westport man who received an email in early November informing him that he had won $850,000 through Publisher’s Clearing House.
The intended victim notified authorities after becoming suspicious when he was instructed to send personal information to an email address ending with hotmail.com, the BBB reports.
In Bartholomew County, the most recent scams have been in regard to property taxes being owed, as well as allegations of arrested family members in need of bail, Columbus Police spokesman Lt. Matt Harris said.
Constant efforts are being made by scammers to seek personal information such as social security numbers and bank information, Harris said.
With tax season just around the corner, Columbus police expect to receive several reports from residents being contacted by scammers claiming they are from the Internal Revenue Service, Harris said.
“These scammers can be convincing and utilize fear tactics, such as threatening the caller with arrest if payment is not immediately made,” Harris said.
Regardless of who the person says they are, or the phone number that shows up on caller ID, Harris strongly urges all residents to avoid giving out personal information to unexpected callers.
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If you have been informed that you have won a prize, here are a few things to know from the Federal Trade Commission:
- Never send money to collect a prize, sweepstakes check, or lottery winnings. If you have to pay, it’s a scam.
- Never deposit a check and send back money, even if the funds appear in your account. That’s a sure sign of a scam.
- If anyone calls asking you to pay for a prize, hang up and report it to your nearest law enforcement agency.
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- The Better Business Bureau offers an online scam tracker that can provide detailed information on reported scams throughout our area, as well as the rest of the country. It can be found at bbb.org/scamtracker/us
- Other scams and consumer alerts are available through the Indiana Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division. Its web address is in.gov/attorneygeneral
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