Port Washington, NY, October 3 - Publishers Clearing House joined today with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and other business and regulatory partners to announce participation in the Alliance for Consumer Fraud Awareness, a national consumer education campaign to combat the rise of reported fake check fraud.

Speaking at a Manhattan press conference announcing the newly formed campaign, Margaret Crossan, Senior Manager of Consumer Affairs for Publishers Clearing House stated, “Fake check scams that illegally and fraudulently use the name of legitimate sweepstakes are of great concern to Publishers Clearing House. Consumers receive what looks like a real check and are asked to send money back. With any legitimate sweepstakes, including Publishers Clearing House, the winning is always free and there is never a requirement to pay any amount to enter, win or collect a prize.” Crossan announced that PCH will be expanding its ongoing consumer education efforts by distributing information supporting the Alliance campaign in its mail, on its toll-free customer service lines and on the web at www.pch.com. “These efforts will continue our ongoing commitment to remind consumers that a legitimate sweepstakes prize is always free – with no strings attached!”

Publishers Clearing House has been in business since 1953 and since 1967 has awarded over $200 million in prizes and awards to consumers from coast to coast. PCH’s Assistant Vice President for Consumer Affairs, Christopher L. Irving, stated, “While it may not be possible for every recipient of a Publishers Clearing House mailing to win a major sweepstakes award, we believe that the efforts being announced today by the Postal Inspection Service will allow all consumers to be winners in the important areas of consumer education and protection.”

The Alliance for Consumer Fraud Awareness, organized by the Postal Inspection Service and consisting of over 20 industry and regulatory partners, was created to empower consumers to protect themselves and their money from financial scammers and fraud. Further information on the Alliance can be found at www.fakechecks.org or by visiting the consumer affairs section of the Publishers Clearing House web site at www.pch.com.