More than $76,000 was stolen from a bank customer in a scam, the Chatham County Police Department reported. According to the department’s social media post, the victim, responding to a fraudulent phone call last Friday, withdrew and gave large amounts of cash to strangers at multiple Truist Bank branches.
The scam began with a call claiming the victim’s account had been compromised, prompting her to withdraw cash immediately. She first withdrew $32,500 from a Wilmington Island Truist Bank branch and handed it to a person in the parking lot at the caller’s direction. The pattern repeated at two additional Truist Bank locations, with the victim giving strangers more than $76,000 in total.
Scams like this are increasingly common, with Chatham County Police receiving nearly weekly reports of substantial financial losses. The department advises the public not to provide personal or banking information, or hand over cash, to unknown callers demanding immediate action, emphasizing the importance of independently verifying any claims before responding.
The Chatham County Police Department urges anyone who has been victimized by similar scams to report the incident to both law enforcement and their financial institution. The investigation is ongoing, and individuals with information are encouraged to submit tips through the department’s app or online form. Anonymous tips, with the possibility of a cash reward, can also be provided through Crime Stoppers at 912-234-2020. The department cautioned that information from unofficial sources may be inaccurate.
