By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY
Salina Post
A 69-year-old Saline County woman is out $1,900 after she was scammed via Facebook Messenger.
Saline County Undersheriff Brent Melander said this morning that on May 22, the woman was contacted via Facebook Messenger by someone claiming to be with Publishers Clearing House. The person told her that if she wanted to get the $100,000 she had won from Publishers Clearing House, she would need to buy gift cards and send the card information to the person.
According to the Fraud Protection page on the Publishers Clearing House website, "At PCH the winning is always free and you NEVER have to pay to claim a prize. Recognizing the difference between legitimate sweepstakes and other types of offers that may not be legitimate will help you protect yourself and your family. If someone contacts you claiming to be from PCH, and tells you that you’ve won a prize– then asks you to send a payment or money card in order to claim the prize – STOP! You have not heard from the real PCH."
Melander said the woman went to multiple stores and bought $1,900 worth of gift cards and then provided the information to the person who contacted her. Once she did that, her money was gone, and the alleged prize notification disappeared shortly there after.
Melander said that in such situations, there is little, if anything, law enforcement can do to get the money back and arrest the wrongdoers. He urged people to be vigilant when contacted by people claiming prizes have been won.
He also encouraged business to pay closer attention when they see people, especially older people who might seem confused, purchasing gift cards with large amounts and asked that the businesses contact law enforcement.