Sweepstakes win was a scam

An Oconeean has lost $22 thousand on the mistaken belief that he had won a $3 million dollar sweepstakes.  Publishers Clearinghouse is a legitimate operation, says Jimmy Watt of the Oconee Sheriff’s Office.  In this case, however, numerous telephone calls were from scammers, from different numbers telling an Oconeean he had won $3 million.  The victim complied with a request to first send $22 thousand to satisfy a tax obligation.  However, Master Deputy Watt said, to win a sweepstakes, you have to enter it.  If someone claims you have a won a sweepstakes, and you have not entered, automatically presume it is a scam.”