Phoenix police are on the lookout for a man who allegedly impersonated a bank official to an elderly individual and then subsequently drained several thousand dollars from the victim's account, as reported by FOX 10 Phoenix. Authorities say this deceitful act culminated in the suspect racking up charges on the stolen credit card at a Walmart located on 37th Street and Thomas Road on August 24.
Details of the incident were made public when surveillance footage emerged, showing the man using the victim's credit card for purchases, including a Gatorade and some small items, before requesting cash back during self-checkout, FOX 10 Phoenix reported. The police believe the scam began after the accused contacted the victim, feigning bank representation, and claiming there was an issue with the victim's credit card that necessitated the disclosure of their PIN, as Phoenix Police Sergeant Brian Bower conveyed in a statement obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix, "Oblivious to what was going on, the victim voluntarily gave his card to these individuals who claimed to be from the bank with the pin number."
The total loss inflicted upon the victim, across multiple transactions, soared to several thousand dollars, this stark revelation reflecting a growing concern over financial scams targeting the elderly. In a description released by officials, the suspect is depicted as a black man with a goatee, operating a silver sedan.
Sergeant Bower advises that in any instance where bank contact seems unusual or unverified, individuals should independently reach out to their financial institutions directly and notify the police, Yahoo News reports. In an effort to apprehend the suspect, Silent Witness is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. If anyone recognizes the suspect or has relevant information, they are urged to call Silent Witness at 480-948-6377 with their tip.
