'Scammers' Call New Berlin Residents, Try To Obtain Gift Cards: Police

NEW BERLIN, WI — Several New Berlin residents have recently reported a possible phone scam where people try to obtain gift cards under the guise of receiving lower utility rates, according to the New Berlin Police Department.

The most recent round of calls has had the "scam artist" posing as a third-party vendor for Spectrum, offering a discounted summer rate, police said in a Facebook post. The scammer asks for payment in gift cards — but no legitimate business will accept payment in gift cards, police said.

Police say the "scam artist" will tell the person that they don't want any financial or personal information, and once the potential victim is "at ease" about the special offer, the scammer asks for the gift cards, police said.

Gift card scams have affected people across the country. In Madison, one woman recently lost over $11,500 in a gift card scheme, NBC15 reported.

Gift card fraud can affect anyone, and can cause the average victim to lose around $1000, according to a report on the scam by the American Association of Retired Persons. Younger people may be more susceptible to the scam, but older people who fall for it tend to give more, the AARP report said.

The Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin offered some tips in December 2021 for people to avoid gift card scams. At the top of the list was to be sure you know who you're buying from.

Spectrum, the company being targeted by recent scams in New Berlin, also has advice for not falling for a scam.

If someone wants you to donate or pay by gift card or by wiring money, don't. Only pay by credit card or check, Spectrum said.