(LEX 18) — Following multiple reports of losses totaling $85,000 in cash, the state Attorney General's office has issued a scam alert to warn of an uptick in mail scams targeting senior citizens.
While prepaid debit cards and gift cards remain popular for scammers to use to steal from Kentuckians, seniors in Boone, Franklin and Greenup counties sent $85,000 in cash to scammers posing as a computer repair technician, a family member in jail and a government official awarding grants.
The scammers instructed each victim to send $30,000, $29,000 and $26,000 in cash using FedEx, United Parcel Service (UPS) and United States Postal Service. Two other potential victims in Harlan and Jefferson counties reported a scammer claiming to be a family member needing help after a car wreck but lost no money.
Beshear's office was able to work with a UPS employee in Ashland to recover one package with $6,000 in cash for the victim in Greenup County.
Kentuckians victimized by scams are urged to file a complaint with Beshear’s office online or by calling 888-432-9257.
To stay up to date on new and trending scams Kentuckians can sign up for Scam Alerts. To enroll, text the words KYOAG Scam to GOV311 (468311), or sign up online at ag.ky.gov/scams and select text message or email alerts.
