Salem Police Issue Warning About 'Publishers Clearinghouse' Phone Scam

The Salem Police Department issued a warning to citizens Thursday concerning a recent attempt to fraudulently obtain funds from a “class action suit” against Publishers Clearinghouse.

On Aug. 13, 2013 an 89 year old Salem resident reported she received a call from a male identifying himself as an F.B.I. agent who told her she won a $600,000 settlement in a class action suit against Publisher’s Clearinghouse. 

The caller asked the woman to send $1,400 to the Bank of Mexico via Western Union to claim her money. The woman became suspicious and asked the male to send the information to the Salem Police Department to be reviewed.

A short time later the woman received a call from a male using the true name of a Salem Police Officer who told her he had reviewed the information and verified it was legitimate.

The resident noted the number on the caller ID to be from the Salem Police Department.

THIS IS A SCAM. Citizens should be suspicious of any contact they did not initiate on their own concerning money or any items of value.

Please be aware of this fraudulent activity as the suspect(s) may try the scam from a different number or change tactics.

Please report any suspicious calls or complaints to the Salem Police Department at 978-744-1212.