Wave of Publishers Clearing House scams hit Independence, Kansas

The Independence Police Department has received a report of a Publisher’s Clearing House Scam.

Citizens are reporting a scam where the caller impersonates a Publishers Clearing House employee. The scammer tells the caller to purchase pre-paid credit cards and then tells the victim to give the card information to the scammer. When a recent victim became suspicious of a scam the scammer called her spoofing the Independence Police Department’s phone number on her caller ID.

Posing as an IPD officer the scammer told her she could trust the Publishers Clearing House employee. The scammer also mailed a fake check and had a victim write them a check for the handling fee to get the prize.  The scammer cashed the victim’s check but the fraudulent check never posted to the victim’s bank account.

Police warn citizens to search out the Publishers Clearing House website. PCH says winning is always free and winners never have to pay a fee. PCH also says they will not contact winners via email or phone. They only contact winners in-person or through certified mail. IPD also warns citizens it is easy for callers to spoof phone numbers on your caller ID by either using phone apps or online.