Linwood Police Warn of Return of the Old Sweepstakes Scam

The saying, "If somebody offers you something that sounds too good to be true, it probably is", popped to mind when reading the warning from the Linwood Police about an old scam that's come back in fashion in South Jersey.

Linwood Police posted a warning on Facebook about a scam using the name of the Publishers Clearing House and sponsored by Readers Digest, Mega Millions and Multi-State Lottery Association.

Local people have been receiving notices in the mail informing them that they are winners of a "100 Million Super Cash Giveaway Promotion".

According to police...

There is also a fraudulent check enclosed in the notice to "cover insurance and attorney's fees". Victims are instructed to contact a claims manager and given a telephone number and a security code. They also advise the victim that the security code and prize information must be kept confidential as "required by Federal and State law".

If you are foolish enough to contact the claims manager, you will be told to send a sum of money to a certain location to cover certain costs, and you are told you will recover your money once you receive your $2.5 million in winnings.

Police encourage you not to fall for this tried and not true sweepstakes scam.

Here is a list of things police caution you to look for if you receive such an offer:

* Publishers Clearing House does not email or call it's big winners or send out winning notices in bulk mail.

* You NEVER have to pay to receive a legitimate Publisher Clearing House win. Scammers always want you to pay to receive a win.

* You do not give out confidential information when you enter a legitimate sweepstakes.

* Sweepstakes scams send you a large check with your win notice.

* You can always verify your wins with Publishers Clearing House. If you believe you have really won something - verify it before giving out any information or sending anyone any money.

* Sweepstakes scams pressure you to act in a hurry.

* Sweepstakes scams may ask for bank or credit card info to receive your prize.

* If the win is from any type of "lottery" it is usually a scam.

* Sweepstakes scams may pretend to come from a government organization.

If you are contacted by someone trying to entice you with such a scam, you should contact the police.