One victim lost thousands buying gift cards for a fake computer technician.
Another discovered someone had allegedly opened insurance-related accounts using his banking information.
And deputies say both cases are part of a growing wave of fraud schemes hitting ordinary people who often don’t realize they’ve been targeted until money suddenly starts disappearing.
According to reports filed with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, one woman contacted deputies after discovering suspicious transactions connected to her AfterPay account.
She told investigators the trouble started after receiving what appeared to be a legitimate warning message on her HP laptop claiming there had been a computer crash or security problem.
The alert instructed her to call a support number.
That’s where things spiraled.
According to the report, the caller convinced the woman he worked for a fraud department and could help repair her computer remotely.
Soon afterward, she was allegedly instructed to travel to stores including Lowe’s and The Home Depot and load thousands of dollars onto gift cards.
By the time the scam ended, deputies say she had spent:
- three $2,000 gift cards
- one $1,000 card
- and one $500 card
for a total loss of approximately $7,500.
Investigators collected receipts and seized the victim’s laptop in hopes digital evidence may help trace the scammers.
Meanwhile… Another Victim Discovers Strange Charges and Insurance Accounts
In a separate case, another Lawrence County resident reported discovering multiple unfamiliar transactions on his bank account.
According to the report, the suspicious charges included:
- insurance-related payments tied to GEICO
- Amazon purchases
- and additional unexplained transactions totaling hundreds of dollars
The victim contacted GEICO and reportedly obtained information tied to a policy he says he never opened.
Investigators say the information appeared connected to a woman in Franklin County already known to authorities there.
The victim was advised to file a formal report locally while the case is investigated further.
Why These Scams Work So Well
Modern scammers are incredibly good at creating panic.
They:
- impersonate tech support workers
- pretend to be fraud investigators
- spoof real phone numbers
- use official-sounding language
- and pressure victims into acting quickly before they have time to think
And once criminals gain access to:
- banking information
- remote computer access
- payment apps
- or personal data
they often move fast.
