Lincoln Police say a 23-year-old woman lost 4,100 in a recent identity fraud scam. Public Information Officer Erika Thomas says the scam started with an email on July 17 saying she had purchased an iPhone.
“She called the number in the email to say she did not buy a phone and was told she had multiple open accounts in her name across multiple states and that someone was using her identity,” Thomas says.
She says the scammers then transferred her to a “CIA agent” who told her to withdraw $3,600 from her bank account. “On July 18, she was directed to use the money to purchase Walmart cash cards and send photos and receipts.”
The next day she was told to send another $500 cash card and she did. “We want to remind the public that no government agency will demand money over the phone or via gift cards,” Thomas says. If you receive an email claiming you made a purchase you did not make, do not respond, do not click on any links and do not call any numbers listed in the message. It’s best to just delete it.”
If you want to check on any possible fraudulent charges made to your account contact your bank directly.