SUNRISE, FLA. (WSVN) - Several South Florida residents at a retirement community were scammed into handing over their credit and debit cards to a stranger.
Police believe two women scammed multiple Sunrise residents in a set up where one woman calls on the phone while the other shows up at the door. “They sound honest, they sound perfectly honest,” said victim Michael Semko. “The phone rang and I answered the phone and the lady said, ‘I’m from the Bank of America, and we have a person in Boynton Beach that’s using your debit card.”
The caller had Semko’s debit card information and other personal information. He had his card in his wallet, but he was told for protection, the PIN number would have to be changed. “She said, ‘I’m sending a lady down to pick up the card.’ In fact, the lady was on the phone when the lady knocked on the door.”
The woman then left with Semko’s debit card.
The same the thing happened to Karen. “Got a phone call saying they were the fraud department from my bank and that there was activity and they caught somebody using my debit card,” Karen said.
A store surveillance video caught two women who, Sunrise Police said, are the suspects in this two-person operation. “I’m angry for them stealing,” said victim Karen. “They stole my identity.”
Police want to warn residents of this scam. “I’ve never heard of that, even in terms of a scam before,” said Sunrise Police Det. Jason Zinn. “A bank would never do that. If there ever was a legitimate compromise with the card, the bank would just mail you a new one.”
According to officials, these two women had targeted at least five others. They were spotted on surveillance cameras buying merchandise, including a big TV with the stolen cards.
Although they claim to be from a bank, on at least one occasion, one of the women was seen wearing what looked like medical scrubs. “It’s just frightening,” Karen said.
If you find yourself confronted with a phone call like these, it’s best to hang up and call your bank and confirm that they are trying to contact you.
If you have any information on this card scam, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $3,000 reward.
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