Sheriff's Department warns of phone scam

The Winneshiek County Sheriff's Department is warning the public about a telephone scam.

Police say a Winneshiek County resident received a phone call from a person who stated they were with the Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes Committee. The person was told they had won $450,000--but would have to pay a $4,000 prize fee to claim the sweepstakes prize.

Police say Publishers Clearing House does not charge a fee for prizes they award. They also warn the public that phone scammers are most interested in getting their victims to disclose a credit card number--so the scammers can use the credit card.

Police conclude by stating the rule of scams: "If it's too good to be true, it probably isn't true, but a scam."