OAK RIDGE, N.C. — One minute you're taking the dog out, the next, you're a millionaire! That's what happened on Sunday to a couple in Oak Ridge.
The Publishers Clearing House Prize Patrol surprised Carmella and Danny Iddings. Just like you see in the TV ads, the prize patrol showed up at the door, unannounced, with balloons, champagne, flowers, and of course the big check.
"I thought maybe I could win a $100, but a million dollars, I never dreamed that," said Danny Iddings.
"It's surreal. You see it on TV, but you don't think it would happen, not to us," said Carmella Iddings. The couple says they will use some of the money to help Carmella's parents who are elderly and live on a fixed income.
It happens for sure. What also happens is scammers pretend to be PCH. Imposter scams are common.
"If your viewers get an email, a call, any contact, a letter that says you've won a prize, but you have to send money, rip up the letter, hang up the phone," said Chris Irving, PCH.
Anytime someone says you can get a prize, grant money, or free money, someone died and left you money but you have to pay the fees or taxes first to get it, it is always a scam.
Publishers Clearing House has several videos on their site and an entire section dedicated to warning you about imposter scams. If you get a check, an email, a phone call, or a text and the claim is you won PCH, it's a scam. PCH never contacts its winners ahead of time. The prize patrol just shows up.