PUBLISHERS CLEARING HOUSE SCAM USES WEST VIRGINIA COMPANY’S NAME TO FRAUD CONSUMERS
The Better Business Bureau has been notified by Tyler Tire & Oil Co. in Sistersville, West Virginia that their business name has been falsely used on counterfeit checks in an attempt to scam consumers of thousands of dollars.
A representative of the Tyler Tire & Oil Co. called the West Virginia Better Business Bureau, stating consumers were receiving a letter from Publishers Clearing House claiming the consumers has won thousands of dollars. The letter instructs recipients to cash the enclosed check, keep $1,500 for themselves, and wire the rest to a Canadian address. The checks appear to come from Tyler Tire & Oil Co. with some being made out for as much as $10,000. After the money is wired back to Publishers Clearing House at the Canadian address, the checks bounce, the scam artists get their money, and the consumer is responsible for the entire check amount.
Tyler Tire & Oil Co. began receiving calls from consumers all across the U.S. several days ago, and immediately closed the affected bank account. Tyler Tire & Oil informed the BBB that the checks are counterfeit and were not issued by the company.
The Better Business Bureau advises any consumer receiving similar letters and checks from an unknown source to not cash the check. If they are uncertain the check is legitimate, consumers should call the BBB, ask their bank, or take it to their local Postal Inspector for investigation.