Phone scams happen everyday, but for one Jefferson resident, she decided to fight back.

Police Chief Dave Morlan says Wednesday afternoon, Bonnie Burkardt received a phone call from an individual claiming to be with Publisher’s Clearinghouse Sweepstakes.  The subject told Burkardt that she won $485,000.  Chief Morlan states that the caller told her that all she had to do was pay the state taxes on it of $505.

He further states that the caller kept her on the phone while she drove to Walmart and purchased Green Dot cards in the amount of $505 but when the person asked for the security code on the back of the cards, Burkardt had realized it was a scam and gave incorrect numbers from the cards.  Chief Morlan describes what happened next.

“Then he had called her back and told her those numbers were invalid and she told him, ‘well, I’ll just meet you at our Law Enforcement Center and we’ll straighten it out’.  To which he hung up and she never heard from him again.  But realizing that and not giving him those numbers then she prevented herself from being a victim.”

Chief Morlan comments that Burkardt was refunded her money she spent on the Green Dot cards.

He reminds the public that if you encounter a scam like this, to follow up with a family member, an attorney or contact the police department and they will be help to assist you.

 

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