Local law enforcement warns that residents in Hilliard are being targeted by a scam that uses couriers to collect cash directly from victims. The Hilliard Division of Police is advising the community to be wary of these fraudulent schemes, in which scammers pose as officials from government or financial entities and request cash for "safekeeping" or for supposed security issues with bank accounts or technology. The scammers have been known to convince their targets to hand over significant sums of money, often preying on senior citizens.
"Any legitimate organization will never ask you to give cash to someone at your door," said a Hilliard police spokesperson, highlighting the brazen approach these criminals take. According to a warning on the City of Hilliard's website, they may also instruct victims to deposit money in an ATM, something that Detective Brandon Long warns should never be done. Long explained that about half of the crimes currently under investigation by his department involve theft and fraud, often with a courier sent to collect the money.
In one reported example, a Hilliard resident was bilked out of $40,000 after a scammer, posing as a bank representative, called to alert them of fraudulent activity on their account. "The resident received a phone call a short time later from a woman claiming to be a bank teller encouraging him to withdraw the cash and 'keep it safe' by giving it to a courier who arrived later in the evening," detailed the report from the Hilliard police via the City of Hilliard's website.
Another case involved a coordinated scam where multiple callers, impersonating tech and bank officials, convinced a resident to ignore actual bank employees trying to intervene. The resident was coached to withdraw $20,000 and deliver it to a courier. "If you’re unsure if you’re being scammed, please talk to a trusted family member, friend, or give us a call," Detective Long informed residents, underscoring the importance of verification in such dubious situations as per his statement on the City of Hilliard website.
The Hilliard Division of Police is urging people to remain vigilant and seek guidance if they suspect they are being targeted by scammers. Residents should remember that legitimate organizations will not send couriers to collect cash and should be suspicious of such requests. The department is actively working to protect the community and prevent these crimes, but it stresses the need for public awareness and caution.
