A Jennifer Street woman reported Tuesday that she was scammed out of nearly $25,000.
The victim told the Greeneville Police Department she received an alert on her iPad stating that her Apple account had been blocked for security reasons and provided a phone number to call. The man who answered said her bank account had been hacked and $14,000 had been withdrawn. He told her that to get the money back, she would need to withdraw $25,000 from her bank account and deposit it in a bitcoin machine. She was then instructed to give the caller the numbers from the receipt from the bitcoin machine. She was able to deposit all but $100 of the $25,000.
The suspect then asked her to go to a separate bank to make another withdrawal. The victim realized at this point it was a scam and reported the incident.
How to Avoid Phone Scams
- Verify the Caller: If you receive an unexpected call from someone claiming to be from a company or bank, hang up and call the official number of the organization to verify the claim.
- Don’t Share Personal Information: Never give out personal information such as bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, or passwords over the phone unless you are sure of the caller’s identity.
- Beware of Pressure Tactics: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to pressure you into making quick decisions. Take your time to verify the information before taking any action.
- Use Official Channels: Only use official websites and customer service numbers for communication. Do not trust contact information provided in unsolicited messages or calls.
- Be Cautious with Unusual Payment Methods: Be wary of requests for payment through unconventional methods such as bitcoin, gift cards, or wire transfers, which are commonly used by scammers.
- Educate Yourself: Stay informed about common scams and tactics used by scammers. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and other consumer protection agencies offer resources to help you recognize and avoid scams.
- Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect you’ve been targeted by a scam, report it to your local police department and the FTC. Prompt reporting can help prevent others from falling victim to similar schemes.
