10/12/2025
The City of Saint Marys Police Department is warning the public about an increase in scams involving gift cards and fraudulent impersonation of sweepstakes management companies, banks, and government agencies. These scams are part of a growing trend where victims are deceived into withdrawing money from their legitimate bank accounts and transferring the funds onto retail gift cards, at the direction of scammers posing as trusted authorities.
How the Scam Works
Scammers are contacting victims by phone, email, or through mailed letters that appear to come from credible sources, such as:
• Bank fraud departments
• Government agencies (including the IRS or Social Security Administration)
• Law enforcement or federal offices, sometimes referencing “federal shutdowns”
• Sweepstakes companies (including the International Lottery and Publishers Clearing House)
In these schemes, the caller or sender claims suspicious or fraudulent activity on the victim’s bank account. The victim is told they must immediately withdraw their funds and "secure" them by purchasing gift cards (such as Apple, Target, Walmart, Lowe’s, Google Play, or Visa/Mastercard gift cards). In some cases, scammers even attempt to link bank accounts directly to gift card purchases. Once the victim loads money onto the cards, the scammer demands the gift card numbers and PINs over the phone or online—effectively stealing the money. These transactions are hard to trace and nearly impossible to recover.
Important Reminders for the Public
• No legitimate bank, law enforcement agency, or government department will ever ask you to move money via gift cards.
• Do not withdraw money from your account or buy gift cards because someone tells you to over the phone or through a suspicious letter.
• Always speak directly with your bank before taking any action. Your bank can help verify whether any claim is legitimate and monitor for fraudulent activity.
• If you receive any suspicious call, message, or letter involving financial requests, contact the police immediately. We can help verify the information and assist in preventing fraud.
If you suspect you have been contacted by a scammer or have already provided gift card information under suspicious circumstances:
1. Do not provide any additional information.
2. Keep any receipts, phone numbers, or written communications.
3. Report the incident immediately to your local police department.
4. Notify your bank and the retailer that issued the gift cards.
Scammers often target the elderly and vulnerable individuals. We encourage family members, caregivers, and community leaders to talk with those at risk about these schemes. Let’s work together to stop fraud before it happens. For questions, concerns, or to report suspicious activity, please contact the City of Saint Marys Police Department at 814-781-1315.
