Phone Scam Circulating In Vestavia Hills: Police

VESTAVIA HILLS, AL — The Vestavia Hills Police Department reported that a phone scam has been circulating through the Vestavia community, and victims have have their bank accounts drained by this scam.

The scam involves a caller claiming to have "sweepstakes winnings" that have been awarded to the victim by AARP, Publishers Clearing House, Walmart and other reputable brands. The scammer then requests the victim's bank account information to "deposit the sweepstakes winnings."

"Once the bank account information is shared, the scammers empty your bank account," Vestavia police said in a statement. "Scam artists can be persuasive – their tactics have allowed them to commit these types of crimes repeatedly. Those tactics often include using well-known brands to make them sound legitimate."

Police said they want to remind everyone not to give out bank account information over the phone, email or text unless they know for sure the recipient of the information is legitimate.

If you have questions or believe you or a loved one may have been targeted by scammers, call AARP’s tollfree fraud helpline at 877-908-3360 for information and assistance.