Scammers Tricked 2 Residents Into Giving $67,700 To 'Help' Family

POLK COUNTY, FL — Scammers got $67,700 from two Polk County residents when they called and told them their relatives were being "arrested," earlier in March, a Polk County Sheriff's Office news release said.

An 85-year-old victim told police that she received a phone call March 13 from someone who pretended to be her son. He told her he had been in a crash and was under arrest, authorities said. He then told her he needed her to call his lawyer, "Walter Bennet."

The victim obliged and called the phone number she was given. The scammer she contacted pretended to be the lawyer her "son" had mentioned. He told her he would need $18,800 to bail her son out of jail, investigators shared. A "courier" was sent to the victim's home, and she gave money to the suspect. Police said the suspect was a Hispanic female who drove a small black SUV.

According to deputies, the victim got another phone about an hour later from the scammer. She told police that he told her that the crash was more serious than initially reported, and another $18,800 was required. The second "courier" she gave money to was possibly a Middle-Eastern man who drove a light-colored, 4-door Kia.

Authorities said several hours later, the victim found out her son was never in a crash. She called the Polk County Sheriff's Office and reported it. While PCSO detectives were at the victim's house, the scammer called again. He told her that the situation with her son was even more complicated, and he needed $10,000 from her, which she did not give them.

A second Polk County victim was contacted by the scammers March 23, according to officers. The 83-year-old victim's daughter contacted the sheriff's office when she learned her mother withdrew $30,000 from her bank account that her daughter is executor of. Detectives said when the scammer called her, he pretended to be her grandson's attorney. He told her that her grandson had been arrested.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office has not identified the scammers.

Tips For Preventing Scams, According To The Polk County Sheriff's Office:

• Don’t be ruled by emotions, and resist the pressure to act quickly.
• Contact a trusted family member who can confirm whether the caller’s story is true or not. Even if a story might seem true, verify its accuracy.
• Try contacting the real child or grandchild at a number you know is accurate.
• Remember, scammers ask for secrecy because they know if you call to verify, you’ll discover the scam.
• Ask questions of the caller that would be difficult for them to answer, like what is your mother’s birthday or what is your pet’s name.
• One tactic the scammers use is to ask, “Grandma?” at the beginning of the call; when the victim replies with, “Is this you [name of grandchild?]” the scammers answer “Yes,” proving that the scammers don’t even need real family members’ names to get away with this crime.
• Be stingy and don’t give the caller any personal information.
• Contact a trusted family member or friend before making any rash decisions concerning your money.
• Family members: check on your elderly family members regularly.
• Family members and banking institutions: look for unusual bank transactions or withdrawals of elderly family members and customers. Ask questions and be vigilant for fraud.
• Immediately contact your financial institution if you find any unusual or unexpected deposits, transfers, or withdrawals.
• If you have detected any criminal or fraudulent activity, notify the company and/or banking institution where it happened. Also, notify the Federal Trade Commission and local law enforcement. www.ftc.gov
• Request a free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax).
• Order online from www.annualcreditreport.com, the only authorized website for free credit reports or call 1-877-322-8228.