Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Another Resident Falls Victim To Publishers Clearing House Scam
Authorities report that yet another local resident has fallen victim to a scam, believing that he had won a prize in the Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes.
A resident of Ethridge Red Hill Road reported to Lawrence County Sheriff’s Deputies Monday that he had initially received a telephone call from a man who identified himself as David Martinez. He informed the victim that he had won the Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes.
Martinez told the victim that in order to claim his prize he would need to purchase two Green Dot cards for $150 apiece, then call him back and give him the card information. The victim said that he purchased the cards at a Dollar General Store, then called Martinez to give him the information.
At that point, the victim said Martinez instructed him to purchase a third card, this time for $500. He told deputies that he then realized that it was a scam and informed Martinez that he was going to notify police officials.
The victim’s total loss was $300.
Officials continue to warn residents not to fall victim to such scams. Any time you are asked to send money, officials say that you should first contact a local agency to verify whether the claim is legitimate.
