SOUTHERN ILLINOIS — If, like others in the area, you receive a call from someone claiming to be with the Publisher’s Clearing House, just hang up the phone.

PCH says it never calls ahead to let you know you won. Phone call award notifications are always a Publishers Clearing House phone scam, and you should hang up immediately.

They also warn that if someone claims you have to pay to receive your winnings, PCH will never ask you to pay a fee to get your money because that is illegal.