Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Money & Work • Marketing

Publishers Clearing House

Publishers Clearing House (PCH) is an American direct marketing company founded in 1953 by Harold Mertz and associated with magazine subscriptions, merchandise sales, and sweepstakes promotions.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Publishers Clearing House (PCH) is an American direct marketing company famous for magazine subscriptions and sweepstakes. Canadian readers should be aware of scammers impersonating PCH, as legitimate prizes never require upfront fees.

What it is

Founded in 1953 by Harold Mertz, PCH started as a direct-mail seller of magazine subscriptions. It later introduced sweepstakes and merchandise sales, becoming a household name through its Prize Patrol and large cash giveaways.

Why it matters

PCH’s sweepstakes made it a cultural icon, but declining magazine sales and shifting consumer habits led to financial struggles. In 2025, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and its assets were acquired by ARB Interactive. Canadians are frequently targeted by scams using the PCH name.

Key details

Scammers impersonate PCH via email, mail, phone, or online ads, asking victims to pay fees to claim prizes. U.S. and Canadian authorities stress that real PCH prizes never require upfront payment. The company’s bankruptcy does not change its past sweepstakes legitimacy.

In short

  • PCH was founded in 1953 and known for magazine subscriptions and sweepstakes.
  • It filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2025 and was acquired by ARB Interactive.
  • Scammers frequently impersonate PCH; legitimate prizes never require upfront fees.
  • Canadians should be cautious of unsolicited prize notifications claiming to be from PCH.
Canadian angle

Canadian readers may encounter Publishers Clearing House scams through email, mail, phone calls, or online ads, even though PCH is a U.S.-based company.

Quick questions

What is Publishers Clearing House?
It is an American direct marketing company best known for magazine sales, merchandise offers, and sweepstakes promotions.
Did Publishers Clearing House go bankrupt?
Yes, it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2025 and its assets were bought by ARB Interactive.
Is the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes a scam?
The real PCH sweepstakes is legitimate, but scammers often impersonate it. Legitimate PCH prizes never require payment to claim.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Publishers_Clearing_House
    Supports: Founded in 1953; sweepstakes introduced in 1967; 2025 bankruptcy and acquisition by ARB Interactive.
  2. Reference for Business — https://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/46/Publishers-Clearing-House.html
    Supports: Founded by Harold and LuEsther Mertz and their daughter; history as a direct marketing and magazine subscription company; sweepstakes used since 1967.
  3. Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/sweepstakes-company-publishers-clearing-house-goes-bankrupt-2025-04-09/
    Supports: PCH sought bankruptcy protection in 2025.
  4. Marketplace — https://www.marketplace.org/story/2025/12/12/is-the-publishers-clearing-house-sweepstakes-real
    Supports: Legitimacy of the sweepstakes, bankruptcy, and acquisition by ARB Interactive.
  5. United States Postal Inspection Service — https://www.uspis.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/uspis-publishers-clearing-house-handout-23jun21_508.pdf
    Supports: PCH is legitimate but scams use its name and logo.
  6. Federal Trade Commission — https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/06/publishers-clearing-house-deceived-consumers-about-their-sweepstakes-contests-ftc-says?page=3
    Supports: FTC finding that PCH used deceptive language and designs that misled consumers about sweepstakes entry and purchases.