Publishers Clearing House Scam DETAILS

Reports are coming in of a Publishers Clearing House Scam in which victims receive phone calls claiming they've won the jackpot prize of $500,000 -- and all they have to do to collect it is pay a processing fee of $1000 dollars.

However, ABC News reported that "Publisher's Clearing House doesn't call winners and they are currently not offering a $500,000 prize."

The Herald Tribune describes a Sheriff's investigation into the case:

A Manatee Sheriff's detective called a number provided to a local victim and, after several days, one of the scammers called back and said they were from the "Federal Gaming Commission in Washington D.C."

When confronted on the telephone by the detective, the scammer hung up. Publishers Clearing House does not call winners of its lottery -- instead, they show up at your door -- and officials said no one should give out their banking information over the telephone. Publishers Clearing House never requires a fee to claim a prize.

The case is still under investigation.