A Salina resident reported a scam involving a text message that claimed to be from the Federal Trade Commission, or FTC. The message warned that the person’s bank account had been hacked and urged them to call a phone number immediately.
When the person called, the scammer said hackers would take all the money from their bank account. The scammer told the person to go to the bank, withdraw as much cash as possible, and then buy a Green Dot card at Walmart. The scammer promised the money would be safe in an “unhackable” account.
The victim followed the instructions, taking out $850 and loading it onto a Green Dot card. After providing the card number to the scammer, the scammer also asked for the person’s debit card information and PIN. The scammer claimed this would help the government track any stolen money.
Police Captain Jim Feldman says, SPD wants to warn people on how to protect themselves from scammers. Scammers goals are to create instant fear in their victims usually through loss of money or fear of arrest. They then control the victim’s actions by keeping them on the phone, telling the victim not to talk with others or what to tell people when questioned, and where to go to purchase gift cards. Once a victim provides the number of the gift card to the suspect, the money can be immediately transferred off that card. As a reminder, if you ever are contacted by someone who attempts to do any of the above actions and requests gift cards you are being scammed. No government agency will ask you to purchase gift cards. If you receive a call similar in nature, the Salina Police Department asks you to slow down, take a breath, hang up, and call your local law enforcement, someone you trust, or bank before taking any action.
