A local man says he was talked into handing over tens of thousands of dollars after scammers convinced him his bank account was under attack.
Deputies were assigned to investigate a fraud complaint, according to a report from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office.
The victim told investigators he received a phone call from someone claiming money was being stolen from his account through Cash App.
According to the report, the caller claimed bank branch managers were involved and said an internal investigation was underway.
The man was instructed to withdraw $23,000 from his account and hand it to a courier who would come directly to his home.
He told deputies a person later arrived in a black Chevrolet pickup truck, collected the cash, and left.
The next day, the same callers allegedly contacted him again and instructed him to withdraw another $19,000 from a bank branch in Ashland.
He said he was then told to hand that money to a second courier driving a white vehicle associated with DoorDash and displaying Florida license plates.
The callers reportedly promised a new bank account card would arrive in the mail.
Deputies searched the area for surveillance footage that might identify the first vehicle but did not locate usable video.
The total reported loss was $42,000.
This Is a Growing Scam — And It Works Because It Sounds Urgent
Scammers often pretend to be:
- Bank fraud departments
- Investigators
- Government agents
- Payment app security teams
They create panic, then rush the victim into acting before they think.
Common claims include:
- “Your account is being drained”
- “Employees at the bank are involved”
- “We’re opening a secure new account”
- “Don’t tell bank staff — they’re suspects”
- “Give the money to our courier”
That last one is the giant red flag.
Real Banks Do Not Send Couriers for Cash
A legitimate bank will never tell you to:
- Withdraw cash and hand it to a stranger
- Give money to a driver
- Transfer funds to “safe accounts”
- Keep the situation secret from branch employees
- Read codes or account info over the phone under pressure
If someone asks for cash handoff, it’s almost certainly a scam.
How Not to Fall for It
1. Hang Up Immediately
Do not stay on the line while emotional.
2. Call the Bank Yourself
Use the number on your debit card or official website.
3. Never Hand Cash to Anyone
No investigator, courier, manager, or “security officer.”
4. Slow Everything Down
Scammers rely on urgency.
5. Talk to Someone You Trust
A spouse, child, friend, banker, or law enforcement officer.
Why Smart People Fall for It
Because scammers are professional manipulators.
They sound calm.
They use banking terms.
They spoof caller ID.
They create fear.
Anyone can get caught off guard.
Bottom Line
If someone says your money is in danger and wants cash in their hands today, your money is in danger because of them.
Real fraud departments freeze accounts.
Scammers send pickup trucks.