Crypto Scam Alert: Westlake Police Warn Residents of Fraudulent Calls

Imagine receiving a call from someone claiming to be a police officer or a Microsoft employee.  They warn you about a warrant issued in your name or a dangerous virus infecting your system. 

Panic sets in. They insist the only way to fix the issue is by withdrawing funds and depositing them into a Bitcoin ATM. It sounds suspicious, but in a moment of fear, many people fall victim to these scams.

Unfortunately, this has been happening to residents in Westlake, Ohio. Some have lost thousands of dollars, while others were saved just in time. Luckily, a bank manager stepped in and protected a couple from losing $17k. 

Bank Manager Saves a Couple from Losing $17,000

At a Chase Bank on Detroit Road in Westlake, a couple walked in, visibly stressed, asking to withdraw $17,000 in cash. They believed they had to pay off a warrant from the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office.

But something felt off to the bank manager. The couple wasn’t known for withdrawing large sums of money. The manager decided to ask a few questions and quickly realized they were about to be scammed. Instead of letting them leave with the cash, the manager called the police. Thanks to this quick action, the couple avoided what could have been a major financial disaster.

Westlake Police Captain Jerry Vogel later praised the manager for noticing the warning signs. He stressed that awareness is key in preventing these types of scams.

Fake Microsoft Support Call Costs Woman $20,000

Another resident wasn’t as fortunate. A Westlake woman thought she was calling Microsoft support after searching for a customer service number on Google. However, the number she found belonged to scammers who had manipulated search results to make their fake support line appear legitimate.

The scammer told her that her computer was infected with viruses linked to illegal activity in China. Fearing legal trouble, she was instructed to withdraw $40,000 to “protect” her account. She ended up depositing $20,000 into a Bitcoin ATM at a gas station in Westlake before a store clerk noticed something was wrong and tried to warn her. By the time she realized it was a scam, she had already lost half of her savings.

Social Security Scam Tricks Another Victim Out of $5,500

In another case, a Westlake resident received a call from someone pretending to be from the Social Security Administration. The scammer claimed that the victim’s identity had been stolen and that their bank account was at risk. The only way to protect their money, they were told, was to deposit it into a Bitcoin ATM.

Believing the scam, the victim deposited $5,500 into a Bitcoin machine at Sam’s Convenient Store. Before they were aware of what had happened, the funds had disappeared. When informed about the theft, the shop owner decided to dismantle the Bitcoin ATM in the ensuing month in a bid to preclude future scams.

How to Protect Yourself from Bitcoin ATM and Gift Card Scams

Sammaer’s confidence is your weakness. To avoid falling into their trap, go through the following points.

• If someone calls you unexpectedly and demands money, it’s likely a scam.
• No government agency, such as the IRS, Social Security, or police, will request payments in Bitcoin or gift cards.
• Be careful about Google tech support phone numbers. Always go to the company’s official website for proper contact details.
• Fraudsters make it urgent so you can’t think properly. Let the situation settle before acting on it.

Don’t panic when you get a suspicious call; hang up and contact the related company before making any financial decision.

Never invest in a Bitcoin ATM or buy gift cards for payment. If it doesn’t feel right, it likely isn’t.

By being vigilant and watchful, you will be able to protect yourself and your family members from falling victim to such frauds.