In April 2025, Publishers Clearing House, a well-known direct-mail marketing company, filed for bankruptcy, leaving several prize winners in a precarious financial situation. Among those affected is John Wyllie, a resident of White City, Oregon, who believed he had secured his financial future after winning a prize of $5,000 a week for life in August 2012. After receiving consistent payments for over a decade, Wyllie was shocked when the funds ceased to arrive this year.
The Prize Patrol’s visit to Wyllie’s home, complete with balloons and an oversized check, marked a turning point in his life. He used the winnings to retire early, relocate closer to his children, and purchase a house on six wooded acres near Bellingham, Washington. “You won $5,000 a week, forever!” the Prize Patrol member had exclaimed. Wyllie had come to rely on those annual payments, totaling $260,000 each year. The sudden loss of this income has left him struggling to cover his bills and even fearing the loss of his home.
“Why didn’t somebody give me a heads up? ‘Hey, we’re going out of business?’” Wyllie questioned, expressing frustration over the lack of warning from the company. A recent investigation by KGW revealed that at least ten past winners have not received their promised payments, raising concerns about the future of those who were counting on their winnings. Bankruptcy expert Andrea Coles-Bjerre, a law professor at the University of Oregon, explained that these winners now find themselves among unsecured creditors in the bankruptcy proceedings, a category that usually offers little hope for recovery.
Wyllie’s plight is echoed by Tamar Veatch, who, along with her husband Matthew Veatch, also won the same “forever” prize in February 2021. The couple, both disabled Army veterans from Cottage Grove, Oregon, had relied on their winnings to support their family. When their payments stopped, they reached out to Publishers Clearing House, only to be informed that payments would resume on a quarterly basis. The announcement of the company’s bankruptcy soon followed, leaving them with a significant financial burden.
“We were fine before,” said Matthew Veatch, reflecting on the lifestyle changes they now face. “It opened a lot of doors for us,” he added, referring to the opportunities the prize money had provided. With three children and a mortgage to manage, the Veatch family has had to adjust their budget drastically, relying solely on their disability payments.
Bankruptcy records indicate that Publishers Clearing House owes over $2 million to its past winners. Coles-Bjerre remarked on the dire situation, stating, “There’s just not enough money to go around to pay everyone.” Many former winners are left grappling with the emotional toll of having their dreams dashed after initially receiving life-changing news.
Some winners had opted for lump-sum payments before the bankruptcy. For instance, Ricky Williams, who won his prize in August 2019, chose to receive over $3 million in one payment instead of annual installments. “If I’d been 20 years younger, I would have taken the payments,” the 71-year-old noted, acknowledging the advantages of his decision.
In July, after the bankruptcy proceedings, ARB Interactive acquired Publishers Clearing House and announced plans to continue running contests under the familiar brand. A spokesperson stated that the company is aware of the concerns surrounding unpaid prizes and is committed to ensuring future winners can trust the process. They clarified that only prizes awarded after the acquisition would be honored.
This unexpected turn of events has raised questions about the operational practices of Publishers Clearing House, an institution that has long been synonymous with large cash prizes and the excitement of the Prize Patrol. Former executive Darrell Lester, author of “Downfall of an Icon: The True Inside Story of Publishers Clearing House,” highlighted changes in the company’s financial management over the years. He noted that winners used to be protected by secure funds set aside specifically for payouts.
In April, the Federal Trade Commission announced a settlement requiring Publishers Clearing House to pay $18.5 million to consumers who were misled by the company’s promotional claims. The settlement highlighted issues around the company’s practices that led consumers to believe they needed to purchase products to enter sweepstakes.
For John Wyllie, the future is uncertain. He reflects on the financial security he thought he had secured for his family, especially the legacy he wanted to leave for his son. “I was proud of the fact I left my children something,” he remarked, now grappling with the disappointment of having to navigate life without the financial support he once thought was guaranteed.
