Thousands of Dollars Gone After North Las Vegas Woman Handed Over Credit Card to Scammer
A woman in North Las Vegas was scammed out of thousands of dollars after willingly handing over her credit card to a scammer. The incident highlights a growing concern for police across the valley.
New Tactic to Prey on Victims Concerns Police
A new method of scamming has raised alarms among law enforcement. This tactic involves scammers showing up at victims’ doorsteps, claiming to be bank representatives. The North Las Vegas woman felt compelled to share her experience to prevent others from falling victim to similar schemes.
How the Scam Unfolded
The woman received a call that appeared to be from her bank, warning of suspicious activity on her account. Upon checking her online banking, she discovered two fraudulent charges totaling thousands of dollars. The scammer on the phone convinced her that her account needed immediate securing and claimed a courier would be sent to collect her card.
Scammer Shows Up at Victim’s Door
Within ten minutes, a man posing as a courier arrived at the woman’s doorstep with a passcode. Trusting the passcode, she handed over her card. The scammer then cut the card in half with scissors but left the chip intact and placed it in an envelope.
Immediate Loss of Access to Online Banking
The woman stayed on the phone with the original scam caller throughout the encounter. Shortly after handing over her card, she was locked out of her online banking account, losing access completely. Realizing something was wrong, she hung up and contacted her real bank to close her accounts and change her passwords.
$9,000 Stolen, Awaiting Reimbursement
Despite her quick actions, the scam resulted in a $9,000 loss. The bank has promised to reimburse the nearly $9,000 stolen, but she has yet to receive the money. She hopes her story serves as a warning to others about the dangers of such scams.
Police Advice on Avoiding Scams
Local police suggest several measures to protect oneself from scammers:
- Always verify the identity of the caller independently.
- Never hand over personal information or cards to anyone who shows up at your door.
- Hang up and call your bank directly using a verified number if you receive suspicious calls.
Conclusion
The North Las Vegas woman’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the evolving tactics scammers use to exploit unsuspecting victims. It emphasizes the importance of vigilance and quick action in safeguarding personal and financial information.
