Publishers Clearing House Warns of 'Fake Check' Mailings Falsely Claiming To Be From...

Publishers Clearing House Warns of 'Fake Check' Mailings Falsely Claiming To
Be From PCH, Oprah Winfrey and O Magazine

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y., Aug. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Publishers Clearing House today
alerted consumers about reports they have been receiving about fraudulent
mailings being sent to consumers that claim to be from PCH, Oprah Winfrey and
O Magazine. The mailings enclose what appears to be a real check. The catch?
The check is bogus and consumers are asked to wire money back to a false
address.

The fake checks often look so real that even bank tellers may be fooled.
Consumers may be told they are being given an advance on a sweepstakes they
have won or are being paid the first installment on millions they would
receive after wiring a portion back to the scammer. Whatever the set-up, the
results are the same. After you wire a portion of money back you find out
that the check or money order has bounced. Consumers should remember that when
the check or money order bounces they will owe the bank the money while the
scammer will walk away with any money wired back.

"We are angry about the reports of scam artists using our good name and
reputation along with that of O Magazine and Oprah Winfrey in an attempt to
deceive consumers" stated Chris Irving, Assistant Vice President for Legal and
Consumer Affairs at Publishers Clearing House. "Consumers should always
remember that at Publishers Clearing House no payment is ever necessary to
claim a prize. If someone contacts you about winning a prize and requests that
you send money back in return for any reason - STOP - you have not heard from
the real Publishers Clearing House."

If consumers believe they are the victim of this scam, they should contact
their local law enforcement or consumer protection offices at once. As part of
the continued effort to prevent these scams and target those responsible,
Publishers Clearing House is a corporate participant in the public/private
Fake Check Task Force organized by the Consumer Federation of America and has
added additional consumer protection messages about this latest scam on-line
and in customer communications.

Publishers Clearing House, founded in 1953, is a multi-channel marketer of
magazines and home products based in Port Washington, New York. Since 1967 it
has awarded over $200 Million in prizes and awards to consumers from coast to
coast with no strings attached. On August 27th PCH will make another lucky
individual its next millionaire winner.

SOURCE Publishers Clearing House

Chris Irving, PCH Consumer Affairs, +1-516-944-4918