ROGERSVILLE — Hawkins County had its share of gift card scam victims in 2018, but Sheriff Ronnie Lawson says there’s an easy way to avoid getting ripped off. If someone you don’t know contacts you by phone, email or social media asking for money, especially via gift card or wire transfer, assume it’s a scam. Just last month, a 72-year-old Hawkins County woman was bilked out of $1,600 by thieves who contacted her claiming she was owed $399 by Microsoft. When the thieves emailed documentation that they had overpaid her by $1,600, they asked her to buy gift cards at Walmart in the amount of $1,600 and give them the numbers to settle the account. Scams closing in on $1 million Earlier this month, the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel Network reported that Tennesseans lost more than $943,000 through prepaid gift card scams in 2018.

Sections:  u.s.   
Topics:  Tennessee   Sullivan County   Kingsport   
RELATED ARTICLES
BING NEWS:
  • DHS: $3.8M in losses due to credit card scam in October alone
    SNAP recipients are particularly vulnerable because, until a pilot program launches next year, their cards are swipe only. Tap to Pay is recommended as a safer method.
    11/15/2024 - 1:15 pm | View Link
  • Federal judge rules Google not responsible for refunding gift card scam victims
    The story starts in April 2021 when Brownsville, Indiana resident Judy May fell victim to a scammer posing as a relative who told her she was ...
    11/5/2024 - 9:35 pm | View Link
  • More

 

Welcome to Wopular!

Welcome to Wopular

Wopular is an online newspaper rack, giving you a summary view of the top headlines from the top news sites.

Senh Duong (Founder)
Wopular, MWB, RottenTomatoes

Subscribe to Wopular's RSS Fan Wopular on Facebook Follow Wopular on Twitter Follow Wopular on Google Plus

MoviesWithButter : Our Sister Site

More U.s. News