<P> Publishers Clearing House is a direct - marketing company that sells merchandise, magazine subscriptions and operates several prize - based websites . While best known for the sweepstakes and Prize Patrol it uses to promote its magazine subscriptions, the majority of the company's revenue now comes from merchandise . The company has been selling books, media, jewelry and other consumer items since the 1980s . Publishers Clearing house operates eight websites, including PCH Search and Win, PCH Lotto, PCH Games, PCH Save and Win, and Candystand . </P> <P> The company also sells magazine subscriptions at a discount and advertises subscriptions along with its sweepstakes . It's estimated that companies like Publishers Clearing House keep 75 - 90 percent of the fees from the original subscription, while publishers use the increased distribution to improve circulation numbers and revenue from renewals . Publishers Clearing House popularized the idea of using sweepstakes to sell magazine subscriptions in the direct - marketing market and became known by detractors as a producer of junk - mail for advertising through mass - mailings . Documents filed with the New York State Department in 1993 said that year the company mailed 220 million envelopes . Frequent buyers can receive 30 - 40 mailings a year . </P> <P> Although Publishers Clearing House advertises its sweepstakes along with magazine subscriptions, no purchase is necessary to enter or win . In 1995, Publishers Clearing House began the tradition of announcing winners of its $10 million prize just after the Super Bowl . As of 2012, $225 million in prizes have been distributed . Some of its larger prizes are for $5,000 a week for life, or $10 million . Prizes can also range from $1 Amazon gift cards to $2,500, $1 million or $3 million . The larger cash prizes are paid in installments, typically with a balloon payment at 30 years, reducing the present value of prizes to much less than their nominal values . </P> <P> Sweepstakes scammers often pose as being from Publishers Clearing House and say that a cash payment is needed before they can deliver a prize . According to Chris Irving from Publishers Clearing House "If you are contacted by anyone claiming to represent Publishers Clearing House and they request payment of any amount to collect a prize, do not send any money...You have not heard from the real Publishers Clearing House ." </P>

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