SCAM alert - they got me
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2016 4:07 pmSharing in hopes this will save someone else from getting caught.
I am typically overly cautious to a fault but I have not been feeling up to par all summer and definitely not getting enough sleep. Apparently when that happens longterm the mind starts loosing alertness - at least I hope that is all it is.
I was a victim of a scam yesterday and lost a little over $3000.00.
Received an early morning call (before coffee) from someone claiming to be Deputy Walker with Madison County Sheriffs Dept saying I had outstanding warrants for arrest for failure to appear and contempt of court for ignoring a notice that had been mailed to me. Of course I had not received such a notice but I have had problems with missing mail so didn’t think it too unusual. At any rate was told the only way to avoid arrest today would be to pay fines and I could appeal at court next week and likely get refund for most of the fines.
I was also told Sheriffs Dept would only accept Green DOT MoneyPak cards which I could purchase at Kroger’s. The man kept me on the phone while I did that claiming it was required to be sure I didn’t skip out or get arrested if I encountered officers along the way who were in process of looking for me to serve warrant. I foolishly followed instructions and gave him the numbers from the purchased cards. I am still stunned that this didn't send up a red flag in my mind.
I then went to Sheriffs Dept were I was told it was a scam. Went back to Kroger’s to see if they could help stop payment on the cards or cash them for me. They were not able to help. I went home and called city police and have filed a report.
The phone number showed on caller ID as a local one and when I called it while police were here taking report the answering machine says Madison County sheriffs Dept all deputies busy, leave # and someone will return your call. Since the number was still active, police suspect they are still calling local residents. I was the 3rd person to report them yesterday. This SCAM is new to our area but apparently it has been around some other parts of the country for a while.
Please be very careful.
I am typically overly cautious to a fault but I have not been feeling up to par all summer and definitely not getting enough sleep. Apparently when that happens longterm the mind starts loosing alertness - at least I hope that is all it is.
I was a victim of a scam yesterday and lost a little over $3000.00.
Received an early morning call (before coffee) from someone claiming to be Deputy Walker with Madison County Sheriffs Dept saying I had outstanding warrants for arrest for failure to appear and contempt of court for ignoring a notice that had been mailed to me. Of course I had not received such a notice but I have had problems with missing mail so didn’t think it too unusual. At any rate was told the only way to avoid arrest today would be to pay fines and I could appeal at court next week and likely get refund for most of the fines.
I was also told Sheriffs Dept would only accept Green DOT MoneyPak cards which I could purchase at Kroger’s. The man kept me on the phone while I did that claiming it was required to be sure I didn’t skip out or get arrested if I encountered officers along the way who were in process of looking for me to serve warrant. I foolishly followed instructions and gave him the numbers from the purchased cards. I am still stunned that this didn't send up a red flag in my mind.
I then went to Sheriffs Dept were I was told it was a scam. Went back to Kroger’s to see if they could help stop payment on the cards or cash them for me. They were not able to help. I went home and called city police and have filed a report.
The phone number showed on caller ID as a local one and when I called it while police were here taking report the answering machine says Madison County sheriffs Dept all deputies busy, leave # and someone will return your call. Since the number was still active, police suspect they are still calling local residents. I was the 3rd person to report them yesterday. This SCAM is new to our area but apparently it has been around some other parts of the country for a while.
Please be very careful.