Contact 13
Local woman targeted in prize winning scam
Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- In this tough economy, most of us could use some extra cash. But when a valley woman found out she was the winner of a major giveaway, she says something didn't seem right.
"At first when he started telling me, I thought wow, I'm a winner," says Anita Marcom.
She says the phone call she got a couple weeks ago was a nice surprise. This local singer and songwriter says the caller got her attention right away.
"He said he was from Publishers Clearing House, and he wanted to let me know I'd been selected a winner for $3.5 million," says Anita.
She says, the caller also told her she was getting a new 2012 Mercedes Benz. But before she could claim her prize, she was told she'd have to pay a delivery fee of $850.
"They wanted me to wire the money," says Anita.
The first clue, she says, that didn't feel right. And Anita started questioning whether the caller was really with Publishers Clearing House.
"He said to me, why are you asking so many questions? When I talk to people, usually they just say thank you," says Anita.
But instead, she told the caller she wasn't willing to pay the requested fee. Then Anita picked up the phone and contacted Action News.
We made our own phone call to a spokesperson with Publishers Clearing House. He says prize winners are never asked to pay any sort up front charges.
Anita hopes her story will help warn others. "If they ever ask for money up front, it's a scam," says Anita.
So here's the Contact 13 bottom line: Publishers Clearing House and the Better Business Bureau both say never wire funds to someone you don't know. Scammers use this service because once the money is sent, it's virtually impossible to track. So always remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
And if you've faced a situation similar to Anita's, Publishers Clearing House wants you to call them. You can call them at (800) 645-9242.
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