Police warn against new online scam

A new online scam has reached residents in Kootenai County.

A Kootenai County resident recently received a Facebook message from what they believed was a friend’s account, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office. The message said the resident had won the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes and needed to contact an agent at (401) 542-8631 to claim their $150,000.

The resident recognized the scan and didn’t contact the agent.

Police say this is one of many new online scams to be aware of.

CDA Press Consumer Gal, Terri Dickerson, said that Publishers Clearing House doesn’t call winners or contact them online. Rather, they show up on the winner’s doorstep.

For more information about scammers who use the Publishers Clearing House brand to trick victims, click here to read Dickerson’s recent Consumer Gal column on the subject.