KNOX COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE - Knox County Sheriff Mike Smith would like to make everyone aware of a current scam involving Publishers Clearing House.
An intended victim contacted Sheriff Smith stating he had received a letter from Canada appearing to be from the Publishers Clearing House. The letter stated the person had won Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars.
There was also a check enclosed for nearly $7,000.00 that was made payable to the complainant to cover insurance and attorney fees. The check was issued by Radiology Imaging Solutions in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
When Sheriff Smith contacted Radiology Imaging Solutions, he was told that the check had been stolen and authorities in Michigan were investigating the theft.
The letter contained a telephone number and instructed the man to call the claims manager at Publishers Clearing House before depositing the check.
Sheriff Smith attempted to contact the claims manager, but the number was currently non-working. The scam works by the person contacting the claim manager who tells the person that the amount of the enclosed check was incorrect. The claim manager will instruct the person to cash the check and send him the amount of the over payment.
Sheriff Smith asks that anyone receiving any type of suspicious mail or telephone calls stating that you have won money or asks for your personal financial information to report it to a law enforcement agency as soon as possible.
