WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP – State police at DuBois are warning area residents following a recent phone scam.
According to state police, on Feb. 6, an elderly Falls Creek man received phone calls from someone impersonating a worker with a company that previously provided him services.
The caller told him that he was overcharged for those services and would be issued a refund. So, he granted access to his computer and logged into his bank account.
The caller “blacked” the man’s screen and allegedly added fraudulent deposits into his online bank account. Twice, he claimed he’d inadvertently added $2,200 instead of a $200 refund.
The man was subsequently directed to send $4,100 in cash to a post office in New York, which he did. Later, he discovered fraudulent funds had been deposited into his bank account.
State police are urging residents to be conscientious about conducting business over the phone. People are also reminded that businesses will not ask you to send cash or gift cards through the mail.
