The Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office reported mail-based scams using the Publishers Clearing House name have appeared in mailboxes in the county.
Deputies said the scam artists send the consumer an official-looking letter along with a check, but tell the potential victim to call in and speak to an agent before cashing the check. The victim is told to deposit the check in a bank account and wire back a portion of the money to cover expenses, purported to include taxes, insurance and processing fees. The Publishers Clearing House website indicates that “Major prize winners are never contacted in advance.”