On Sunday, July 8, I was using the Publisher's Clearing House Sweepstakes site in conjunction with their notification that
I had just won $1500.00 in cash. Then a dialogue box appeared which identified itself as http://pch.com-promotional.info/cash
reward/claimb.php. On this dialogue box, it stated that "In order to send you the cash of $1500.00, you will need to complete a credit report. The credit report will help us ensure you are really who you are and securely send the money directly to you. We have made obtaining your credit report quick, simple, and free." Step 1: "Click here to complete your free credit report. It'll only take a few seconds." Step 2--stated below Step 2, "Enter your credit score below to claim the cash. Then below Step 2 is a place to enter your credit score---after you get it.
Then seamlessly--very smooth transition, I found myself on Free Credit Report 360.com. Here I was asked several questions-a whole lot more time than a few seconds--and finally reached what seemed to be the last page (in the interim I had given my
social security number since credit reports require a SS#. However, on the last page I found that I had to provide my credit card no. and a dollar would be refunded; BUT ADDITIONALLY I WOULD BE CONSENTING TO SIGNING UP FOR SOME KIND OF
SUBSCRIPTION AT $29.95 OR SO--APPARENTLY PER MONTH UNLESS I CANCELLED IT WITHIN 7 DAYS. AT THIS POINT
I ABORTED THIS CONTACT WITH FREE CREDIT REPORT 360--IN RETURNING TO THE PUBLISHER'S CLEARING HOUSE SITE, I FOUND THAT THE $1500.00 CASH I HAD SUPPOSEDLY WON HAD VANISHED. I also removed all of the information I had provided from the Free Credit Report 360 site.
I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF SOMEONE HAD MISREPERSENTED THEMSELVES AS PUBLISHERS CLEARING HOUSE OR IF PUBLISHERS CLEARING HOUSE WAS WORKING IN CONJUNCITION WITH THIS WWW.FREECREDITREPORT360.COM.
I have since then contacted the Publishers Clearing House fraud line at 1-800-392-4190. I talked to a person named John who was not at all really concerned about my experience--leading me to think that this may be standard operating procedure
for Publisher's Clearning House Sweepstakes activities--that is conning the customer into buying something they did not request, do not need or want, etc.
At the PCH fraudulent line, John directed me to phone another Publishers Clearing House Number, 1-800-645-9242. That
phone call, when I finally got through, using the number 9, was a total waste of time; the person to whom I was speaking apparently tired of talking to me and disconnected me from her phone. That was right after I mentioned that I felt I was getting the runaround since this second person I talked to wanted to refer me back to the Publishers Clearing House Fraud line( number as provided above) again.
Yet, I keep coming across all kinds of Publishers Clearing House statements, while playing their sweepstakes games, that PCH will never ask you for your credit card or any money, or to purchase anything. Well, I do not know how I happened to be asked for my credit card no. and sent to a site where I had to get a credit card score before being given my allegedly won $1500.00 cash award. You may be the judge. Watch your back with both of these site is my counsel.