SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating another gift card scam that cost a woman thousands of dollars.
On Sept. 20, a 76-year-old woman contacted Salina Police to report she had received an email from someone posing as a representative of the Federal Trade Commission's Department of Investigations.
The scammer told her that her checking account and credit cards were tied to money laundering, and to resolve the issue, she needed to buy gift cards.
A store clerk team told her it was a scam, but she believed that it had occurred, and so she went through with two purchases of gift cards totaling $9,000 and $7,000 charged to a credit card, according to Feldman.
The scammer then had her provide the card numbers, allowing them to steal the funds.
Police emphasized the importance of being mindful of ongoing scams.
“No government agency, including the FTC, will ever ask for gift cards as a form of payment."
As the holiday season approaches, police urge you to stay alert and report any suspicious activity immediately. Be cautious of unsolicited requests for money or gift cards, as they are common tactics used by scammers.