The Green Dot Money Card scam has made its way to Tallahassee. Police are investigating a new kind of scam that’s hard to trace using reloadable debit cards.
In just one day, at least ten people called to complain to the Tallahassee Police Department about a male lieutenant, who said he had a warrant for their arrest. The problem, TPD Spokesman David Northway says, is no sworn officers are known to have made such a call. And he adds they certainly wouldn’t tell people they could avoid arrest if they purchase a Green Dot Money Card.
“…a refillable debit card, like a visa card that you can purchase and put money onto, and if you do that, then he says he will not arrest you. If not, he will come and arrest you,” said Northway.
Northway says if the department did that, it would be a bribe—which is illegal.
“We would never offer money for a warrant in exchange for not being arrested for a warrant. That’s against the law! And, we’re urging anyone who comes in contact with this person to please call us at 850-606-5800
850-606-5800 to file a police report,” added Northway.
About three week ago, the Thomasville, Georgia Police Department reported some elderly residents there were victims of a similar scam where they were told to purchase Green Dot Money Cards. Some handed over hundreds of dollars over to scammers. In those cases, they were told they’d won the lottery, received a grant, or even owed money to the IRS. So far, no one’s been caught.
This kind of scam is usually hard to trace because the money put on the purchased card can be transferred to an overseas account.
For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter: @SaschaCordner.
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