PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A 96-year-old South Florida man thought he had just won nearly $2 million.

Instead, the letter he received in the mail turned out to be part of a scam using the name of the well-known sweepstakes company, Publishers Clearing House.

The man, Al Rizzo, said the letter looked convincing at first.

“I got a letter from Publishers Clearinghouse and in this letter they said out of 80,000 plus people, five of us received an award,” Rizzo said. “The amount showed here was $1,950,000.”

The letter included company logos, a reference number, stamp and even a photo and signature of a company executive, details that made it appear legitimate.

“Because of all of the work that this letter shows, you have to almost believe it’s real,” Rizzo said.

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But something didn’t feel right. Instead of calling the number listed in the letter, he checked with family members first.

That’s when they realized the letter wasn’t real and appeared to be part of a scam using the Publishers Clearing House name.

Publishers Clearing House confirmed to CBS12 News that it never calls, texts, mails or asks people to send money to claim a prize. The company says if someone wins a major prize, its well-known “Prize Patrol” delivers the prize in person without advance notice.

Rizzo said he worries other people, especially seniors, could fall victim.

“I’m concerned for people who are getting this mail and don’t realize that it is a scam and they’re going to take them for a lot of money,” he said.

Consumer protection attorney Chris Irving, who has worked on sweepstakes scam cases for more than 30 years, says there’s a simple rule people should remember.

“If you are asked to send money, pay a fee, tax or provide a gift card to collect a prize you have not heard from PCH or any legitimate sweepstakes,” Irving said. “If the prize is not free, it is not real.”

Irving says scammers often target older adults by sending official-looking letters designed to build trust.

Rizzo said he’s relieved he didn’t lose any money, though he admits there was one disappointment.

“Now I can’t go to Vegas,” he joked.

Experts say if you receive a suspicious prize notification, do not respond. Instead, report it to the Federal Trade Commission or your local law enforcement agency.