Publishers Clearing House scam call: is it real?
Editorially reviewed · Last updated June 16, 2026
Yes — this is a scam. The real Publishers Clearing House never calls to tell you that you won, and you never pay a fee to collect a prize.
“Congratulations! This is the Publishers Clearing House prize patrol. You've won $2.5 million and a new car. To release your winnings today, we just need you to cover the delivery and tax fee. Please stay on the line and have a gift card ready — your prize expires if you hang up.”
Other versions you might get: The same lie arrives by mail with a fake check to "cover fees," by text or email about "claiming your prize," or as a Facebook message from a cloned PCH account — sometimes naming Mega Millions or a state lottery instead.
What to do right now
- Hang up. Don't press a key, don't stay on the line, don't give your name, address, or bank details.
- Never pay a fee. No gift cards, wires, crypto, or "tax" payments — a real prize never costs money to claim.
- Report it. File at reportfraud.ftc.gov and report the call to Publishers Clearing House's fraud page.
- Block the number (scammers spoof and rotate numbers, so this may not stop all of them).
- If you already paid or shared bank details, call your bank right away to stop or reverse the payment, and if you bought gift cards, contact the card company to ask them to freeze the funds.
How to make sure it never bites you
These calls reach you because your number sits on lists that scammers buy and trade. Cut the volume and learn the moves that shut prize scams down — see how to stop scam calls.
Help protect someone else
Scams spread because people stay quiet about them. If this could have fooled you, it can fool someone you know — a parent, a friend, the family group chat. Passing it on is the easiest good thing you'll do today. It's safe to forward, and stands on its own as a record for a bank or the police.