‘I have learned my lesson’ Hamblen County couple foils scammer claiming to be from Publishers Clearing House

HAMBELN COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — A Hamblen County grandmother hopes she stopped a scammer from draining a pre-paid bank card she was convinced to buy.

Many people across the country dream of the day when the Prize Patrol from Publishers Clearing House comes knocking on their door. This is the only way you know you won, but Linda Cobble received a convincing call.

Linda said the man on the phone claimed she won $5.7 million, a red truck and $500 every other month from Publishers Clearing House. She said at first she believed it was a scam, but the caller convinced her it was legitimate.

“He said ‘Ma’am, ma’am, calm down, don’t get all torn up.’ He said, ‘You won this, we pulled your name and you have won all of this.'” explained Linda.

John Cobble said his wife was talking to the slick scammer when she was transferred to a woman and given further instructions.

“She said ‘I want you to get in your car and go to the bank. I want you to get $920 out.’ I said ‘What is the $20 for?’ She said, ‘You will have to pay for the cards I want you to get.’ So I went to the bank, I got the money. She stayed on the phone with me the whole day,” said Linda.

Linda first went to the Dollar General in Morristown . There she purchased a pre-paid card and filled it with $500. Her next stop was Walgreens. As instructed Linda remained on the phone with the caller and she paid $400 for another pre-paid card. She was then given instructions to repeat the numbers on the card.

Soon after dictating the numbers, Linda realized the mistake she had made. John then took some action.

“So we went back to the dollar store yesterday and we had the lady check the card to see if had any money left on it. When she did, it said zero balance, but there were charges ‘pending.’ So the lady at the dollar store called the gift card company, told them the situation that we had been scammed and they put a hold on the card,” said John.

The Cobbles expect a full accounting on the card by the end of the month. The couple filed a report with the Hamblen County Sheriff’s Office. A deputy called back during our visit.

“I ran this number. It comes back to Kingston, Jamaica. I tried to contact the phone number this morning. That phone has been disconnected,” said the deputy.

Publishers Clearing House said it never calls ahead to let you know you won. If someone claims you have to buy pre-paid cards to receive your winnings, for whatever reason, hang up. Finally, PCH will never ask you to pay a fee to get your money because that’s illegal.

Linda is hoping to get some of her money back.

“I pray that, I pray that. I have learned my lesson,” said Linda.

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