Publishers Clearing House (PCH) is a direct marketing company that offers a chance to win prizes through sweepstakes, contests, and games. PCH has been around since 1953 and has given away millions of dollars in prizes. Despite its longevity and reputable history, some people question the legitimacy of PCH. In this article, we’ll explore the early history of PCH, government regulation, online development, odds of winning, how to identify and avoid PCH scams, and the top five PCH scams to be aware of.

The early history of Publishers Clearing House

PCH was founded in 1953 by Harold Mertz, a former manager of a door-to-door magazine subscription service. Mertz had the idea to combine magazine subscriptions with sweepstakes and contests to increase sales. In 1967, PCH introduced the “Prize Patrol,” which was a group of employees who traveled the country surprising winners with giant checks and balloons.

Government regulation of Publishers Clearing House

PCH has been subject to government regulation over the years. In the 1990s, PCH faced legal action from several Attorneys General over allegations of deceptive advertising and misleading sweepstakes promotions. PCH settled with the Attorneys General and agreed to change its advertising practices. Since then, PCH has worked to improve its transparency and avoid deceptive practices.

Online development of Publishers Clearing House

PCH has evolved with the times and now offers many online games and sweepstakes opportunities. PCH games include online gaming options such as Mahjongg Minute, Daily Jigsaw, and more. PCH also offers email newsletters, where customers can stay up-to-date on the latest promotions and sweepstakes.

Odds of winning with Publishers Clearing House

The odds of winning with PCH depend on the specific promotion or game. PCH offers many different types of games and sweepstakes, each with its own set of odds. For example, the odds of winning the $5,000 a Week for Life sweepstakes are 1 in 6.2 billion. However, PCH also offers smaller prizes with better odds, such as daily cash prizes or gift cards.

How Do Publishers Clearing House Scams Work?

PCH scams work by taking advantage of people’s trust in the brand’s name recognition. Scammers may call or email individuals, claiming they have won a PCH prize and asking for personal information or money in order

How To Identify (and Avoid) Publishers Clearing House Scams

While PCH is a legitimate company that has been in business for decades, there are scammers who try to take advantage of the brand’s name recognition. Here are some tips on how to identify and avoid PCH scams:

Hang up the phone

PCH does not call winners to inform them of their prizes. If someone claiming to be from PCH calls and asks for personal information or money, hang up immediately.

Don’t send money

PCH will never ask winners to send money in order to claim a prize. If someone claiming to be from PCH asks for money, it is a scam.

Beware of emails

PCH will only contact winners via certified mail or in-person visit. If you receive an email claiming you have won a PCH prize, it is a scam.

Check the official website

The official PCH website is www.pch.com. If you receive an email or see an ad claiming to be from PCH, check the website to confirm its legitimacy.

Watch for warning signs

If a PCH promotion seems too good to be true, it probably is. Red flags include requests for personal information or money, urgent deadlines, and promises of large cash prizes.