Clayton Residents Targeted In Separate Fraud Schemes

CLAYTON, N.C. — Two separate scams in the Clayton area have cost local residents thousands of dollars in just a few days, officials say.

In the first case, a 55-year-old man reported receiving a text message that appeared to come from the State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU). The message was followed by a phone call from a person claiming to work in SECU’s fraud department.

The caller told the man that his account had been used in California to make an Amazon purchase and that his funds were at risk. Convinced by the fraudster, the victim withdrew $4,000 and sent the money via CashApp to the scammer. The man later realized he had been defrauded and reported the incident to law enforcement.

A second, unrelated scam targeted a 74-year-old man. He received a phone call from someone claiming he had won a new Ford Raptor and $4.5 million. The caller instructed him to pay fees before the vehicle could be delivered and the money deposited. The victim sent multiple gift cards totaling $19,500 before realizing he had been scammed.

Both cases are currently under investigation.

Authorities urge residents to be cautious and skeptical of unsolicited calls or texts claiming issues with bank accounts or unexpected prize winnings. People should never provide personal or financial information, send money through apps or gift cards, or act under pressure from unknown callers. If a message or call seems suspicious, residents are advised to contact their bank or financial institution directly using official contact information and report any suspected scams to local law enforcement or the Federal Trade Commission at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/