Scottdale Woman Scammed Out Of $1,500 Over The Phone
EAST HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- State police are investigating after they say a Westmoreland County woman was scammed out of $1,500 over the phone.
According to police, it all started Friday when the victim, a 44-year-old from Scottdale, received a phone call that she was a criminal in a tax fraud case.
The male caller instructed Miller to get $1,500 in Money Paks, investigators said. He reportedly told her the money would then be sent to the United States Treasury Department.
"At first they said I owed $1,692 to the government," said the victim, who did not want to be identified. "They said we'll drop this to $1,500 if I pay today."
Police say the man also told Miller that police were watching her home and she was "under self-arrest."
Police say Miller drove to several stores before finding the Money Paks at a convenience store in Connellsville. She bought three of them worth $500 each, all while the suspect stayed on the phone with her, and then provided him with the information on the cards.
The caller also had some strange demands.
"He said 'this is a personal matter, you must not tell anyone about this or you'll lose your home,'" she said.
And she's not alone in being targeted by a scam. Here are some tips to avoid getting ripped off by fake federal officials:
-Never give your name, address, bank account, credit or prepaid card numbers.
-The federal government or IRS are required by law to send written notices if you owe anything, they don't make cold calls.
-And remember, you're in control. Hang up if you think it's not legit.
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