Residents from across Kerr County have contacted the Kerrville Police Department in the last few weeks to report receiving prize notification calls.

The calls, usually from individuals speaking with a foreign accent, claim to be from Publishers Clearinghouse (PCH) or a utility company such as recently reported by KPUB. During the call, the scam artist claims that the individual has won a new vehicle, and or $1 million or more in cash. Before the vehicle or cash prize can be released or delivered, the “winner” must pay delivery fees, taxes and other costs. In some cases, scammers also tell their victims that their utilities (electricity, water, gas, etc.) will be disconnected if they don’t make an immediate payment.

Residents are instructed to purchase one or more Green Dot MoneyPak pre-paid cards, available at convenience stores and pharmacies, and to place a certain amount of money on the card. Residents then are asked to provide the “money pak” pin number on the card or from the receipt, allowing the scammers to transfer the money immediately from the card to another account. Once transferred, the money is lost.

“Don’t take any chances with your money, be sure that you have checked and verified everything before you provide any numbers off your “Green Dot” card or receipt”, said Community Services Officer Paul Gonzales.

If you’re a victim to this type of scam, please call the Kerrville Police Department, if you live inside the city limits, at 830-257-8181.