In the most current Wildwood neighborhood watch newsletter, officers Jamie Reiter and Brad Wood stated they recently were notified by a Wildwood resident who received a call from someone who they initially believed to be representing the Publishers Clearing House. But something about the call didn't seem right.

An immediate question that comes to mind is:  Did you enter the Publishers' sweepstakes? If not, then suspicion should immediately increase.

In the recent case, the caller required personal information and a financial transaction for them to be able to take them up on the offer, the officers stated in the newsletter.

The Wildwood resident declined the phone offer, and checked into scams identifying themselves as Publishers Clearing House. Nearby, in Town and Country-Manchester, police there warned of the same, potential trap at the end of October. See related Patch article:  Police Warn of Publishers Clearing House Scam

Officers Reiter and Wood advise Wildwood residents to not give out personal information to anyone over the phone. "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Any reputable company or organization will not mind if you check them out prior to taking them up on their offer."

Editor's Note:  The Publishers Clearing House superprize winner is scheduled to be announced Feb. 28 on NBC, according to the organization's webpage. For verification questions, contact the Publishers Clearing House, 101 Winners Circle, Port Washington, NY 11053-40161 or call them at 800-645-9242.

One online author offers the following tips if a sweepstakes' notification is received in the mail and is asking for money, a credit card number, or a bank account number:  Things that Aren't Signs of Sweepstakes Scams

For extra caution, click here to pose questions in an online Sweepstakes Forum.

Officers Reiter and Wood also would like to remind residents that Wildwood does not allow solicitation without permits. "If someone comes to your door offering firewood, driveway sealing or any other service without a permit in hand from the City of Wildwood, decline their service and call the police with any vehicle or personal description you may have," they stated in the newsletter.

Officers Reiter and Wood said fake solicitation is often used by burglars to determine if residents are home.