Clark County Sheriff's Department Warning About Scams Affecting Residents Again

Friday, September 20th, 2024 -- 12:01 PM

Imagine going to the mailbox and finding a letter from Publishers Clearing House. It could be exciting, but it could also be a potential danger.

The Clark County Sheriff’s Department is warning about some scams affecting people again. We all dream of a stroke of good luck, especially when it involves a potential windfall of "($750,000.00) Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand US Dollars."

But wait, there’s more - they sent a check for $8,200.99.  They even offer to help you manage your winnings.  This is where caution is key. If you ever receive a document like this, it's crucial to be vigilant. Red flags should go off.

Take control of the situation by contacting local law enforcement or your bank before you make any contact with them. The letter calls for the participant to participate in a "payment arrangement" to receive her cash reward, tells him/her to contact his/her claims agent at the organization's branch office, and demands that he/she keep the details of his/her letter and payment confidential until her cash payment is processed.

Attached to the letter was a $7,800 "sponsorship check" to support out-of-pocket expenses.  In the Clark County Case the check was for $8,200.99. Christopher Irving, vice president of consumer and legal affairs at Publishers Clearing House, said the company never sends checks to consumers to tell them they have won a prize.

When a person wins a major cash prize from Publishers Clearing House, representatives from the company show up unannounced with their "Prize Patrol" carrying a large check, flowers, and champagne.

Also, they have been receiving text messages and emails from UPS notifications that they have a package that they couldn't deliver. They want you to go to a fake website in an attempt to gather your personal information.

According to the UPS website under PROTECT YOURSELF from Fraud and Scams, If UPS contacts you regarding a package, the UPS representative will always be able to provide a tracking number, which you can verify on their website.

You also should know that UPS may contact you occasionally regarding service offerings or for marketing purposes, but you may always verify our phone number and call back before proceeding.

If you are ever unsure of the validity of a communication, ask for the caller's first and last name and a call-back telephone number. In closing, this is the world we live in today, full of shameless scammers and rip-off artists who want your hard-earned money.  Please protect yourself, your family, and your friends.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.