‘Publisher’s Clearing House’ phone scam

Oct 19, 2020 | 2:35 PM Pete McIntyre

RCMP are warning residents to be wary of someone calling homes and saying they have won a car and a sizeable amount of money from “Publisher’s Clearing House.”

The caller says all you have to do is pay a sum of money, in the latest case $500, to cover delivery costs, and also tries to get banking account numbers to transfer the phony winnings to.

Some Salmon Arm residents have been getting the calls.

“Remember there are no prize feed or taxes in Canada,” said Staff Sgt. Scott West from Salmon Arm RCMP. “If you won it is free! The fraudster asks that money be paid to an account number complete with transit number. Do not initiate a transfer of funds. It is a scam!”

RCMP pass on the following tips

Be very wary about unsolicited calls, remember if it sounds to good to be true, it is.
Do not give out any personal informing to these callers. No address, Social Insurance Number, birth date, credit or banking information. Don’t even confirm this information.
Do some research yourself, look on line, and call the company who is supposedly giving you this windfall and call them to confirm.
Be wary because companies have been, and continue to be, spoofed on line and in email.

West said residents have also been receiving calls pertaining to the Canada Revenue Agency scam.