Fraudsters Posing As Bank Representatives Swindle Elderly Woman

JOHNSTON COUNTY, N.C. — A 78-year-old woman from the Cleveland community lost $10,000 after falling victim to a sophisticated scam involving a fake fraud alert and cryptocurrency payment.

According to a report filed with the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, the victim received a text message claiming unauthorized charges had been made to her Apple account. The message instructed her to call a phone number to resolve the issue.

After calling the number, the woman spoke with an individual who claimed to be investigating fraudulent activity. She was then transferred to another person who allegedly represented her bank.

The scammers told the victim there was $15,000 in debt associated with her account and instructed her to send money through Bitcoin to protect her finances and cover the alleged charges.

The woman attempted to withdraw $15,000 from her bank account but was unable to obtain the full amount. She was, however, able to withdraw $10,000 and deposit the money into a Bitcoin machine at a local business.

Only after the transaction was completed did she realize she had been scammed. Authorities said the money could not be recovered.

Law enforcement officials continue to warn residents, especially seniors, about increasingly sophisticated scams involving text messages, phone calls, gift cards, wire transfers, and cryptocurrency.

Safety Tips for Seniors

Authorities recommend the following precautions to avoid becoming a victim of fraud:

• Never send money through Bitcoin, gift cards, wire transfers, or payment apps to someone you do not personally know.
• Be suspicious of unsolicited text messages, emails, or phone calls claiming there is a problem with your bank account, computer, Social Security benefits, or online accounts.
• Do not call phone numbers provided in unexpected text messages or emails. Instead, contact the company or bank directly using a trusted phone number from an official statement, website, or card.
• Remember that legitimate banks, government agencies, Apple, Microsoft, and law enforcement agencies will never demand payment through cryptocurrency.
• Never provide personal information, account numbers, passwords, or verification codes to someone who contacts you unexpectedly.
• If pressured to act immediately, hang up. Scammers often create a false sense of urgency to prevent victims from thinking clearly.
• Before sending money, discuss the situation with a trusted family member, friend, or financial advisor.
• If you believe you may be the victim of a scam, contact your bank immediately and report the incident to local law enforcement.

Anyone receiving suspicious calls, text messages, or emails is encouraged to report the incident to law enforcement.