On January 10 I received a phone call from phone number 209-487-9803. The caller asked for me by name and I confirmed I was who he had asked for. He stated to me "I am from Publishers Clearing House and I am calling to inform you that you are our Grand Prize Winner".inSTANTLY, I had my doubts since I do not make it a habit to respond to their offers.
The conversation continued as I "played along" with the caller. I said "OMG, I am a winner... I don't remember submitted anything to PCH recently" (last-5-6 years). His reply was "Yes, on June 12". Ok whatever. I continued to listen to his script. I asked "what did I win?" He replied that I had won a 2013 Jaguar AND $150,000 cash.
I let him believe I was excited as the whole family stood still for the moment. I kept stating "OMG, I can't believe this. I won a Jaguar and $150,000. I couldn't believe my luck!" I said "OK, ok... What do I need to do?" He stated the $150,000 would arrive the following day. I didn't bother to ask how I would receive the vehicle.
I said again, "OMG, what do I need to do"? All I needed to do was to purchase a "winner's ticket". For how much?"For $500" he stated. I had had enough of the game and stated "Ummm... I think this is a scam". Immediately he hung up on me.
I am positive either his next step would have been to ask for a credit card number or from what I am reading from others a "MoneyPac" card from a local CVS store.
A reverse phone search shows the company to be YMax Communications Corp. Out of Stockton, CA.in fact I did call the number back and it sounds exactly like the same person who identified himself as Duane Benjamin (not exactly sure of the name). It was his voice mail. He was soft spoken, with a possible middle eastern accent... I am guessing on that statement.
Searching YMax comes up with many options... Some refer to Magic Jack... Some say D.E.A., some are financial loan offers... in Nevada, Florida and other U.S. Cities.
People need to seriously learn you are never really going to get anything of value or material value for free or pennies. Yes, I could win $100 from a local grocery store and that could be 100% legit.
1. Please, stop for a minute and think what you are being told.
2. And secondly, what you are being asked to provide in return.
Too many innocent, smart people are praying for that miracle of "hitting it big" and have for hundreds of years. It is only going to get worse. It is going to continue. Why should they stop SCAMMING (stealing) from good, hardworking citizens? He used less than 3 minutes of his time and could easily have gotten $500 plus for his efforts. He has no reason to stop his illegal activities. And what is sad is people just like me are NOT reporting this. They either lose the cash and cry a very long time or they hang up the phone disquested with this "waste of their time".
I don't know if I should do more than what I am doing other than posting this information in places I hope others see before it happens to them or someone they love.in a couple hours (Pacific time) I may contact the BBB in Stockton, CA for more information but I doubt that anything can really be done. I even found out that my 30 year old nephew DID have a similar experience last year and HE DID lose a good chunk of money to a stranger.
Thanks for listening.
By: (G'Hoppa)
*FYI - The above report was written to be true to the best of my knowledge and not verbatim, but in chronological order. The city, state and phone number are accurate. The name of the person at the above number may differ somewhat. Since it was a voice message. I only believe him to have said Duane Benjamin. The $1 amount was only used to generate this complaint. Trust me, no money was exchanged, sent or promised to any individual. Again, thanks...
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