A Chatham County woman lost $76,500 in cash on Feb. 6 after a caller told her that her bank account had been compromised and directed her to withdraw her money.
What’s happening: The Chatham County Police Department is investigating after the woman made withdrawals at three Truist Bank branches in a single day and handed the cash to three different strangers in parking lots.
The woman first withdrew $32,500 at a Truist branch on Wilmington Island and gave the money to someone she had never met. She then went to a Truist branch on East DeRenne Avenue, withdrew $34,000 and handed it to a second person she did not know. Her final stop was the Truist branch on Mall Boulevard, where she withdrew $10,000 and gave it to a third stranger.
What’s important: The caller told the woman her account had been compromised and that she needed to withdraw all of her money immediately. The three withdrawals totaled $76,500.
The department said it receives reports “almost weekly” of people losing large amounts of money to scams that start with a phone call.
What happens next: Police are asking anyone with information to contact the department through its app, its online tip form or Crime Stoppers at 912-234-2020. Tips to Crime Stoppers are anonymous.
Sources: Chatham County Police Department
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