WAYNESBORO – Waynesboro Police are warning the public about another telephone scam, this one involving Walmart and identity theft.
Police were contacted by a local resident to report a fraudulent phone call from an individual claiming to represent Walmart and the Social Security Administration. The caller claimed that the individual had been a victim of identity theft, with someone attempting to purchase items under their name at Walmart.
A case number was provided, and the complainant was transferred to an alleged Social Security representative. During the conversation, the scammer claimed the victim had multiple bank accounts, credit cards and addresses in another state, and was allegedly involved in illegal activities, including money laundering and drug trafficking.
They identified an Officer Morris of the Waynesboro Police Department as the officer who was handling the investigation. The caller then instructed the complainant to wire a significant amount of money to resolve the issue, promising a partial reimbursement.
Suspicious of the situation, the complainant contacted local authorities and was informed there was no such officer from Waynesboro Police Department. Recognizing the fraud, the complainant terminated the call and immediately reported the incident to the local police.
This scam highlights the importance of vigilance and caution when receiving unsolicited phone calls or messages, police warned. Authorities urge individuals to verify any suspicious communications and avoid disclosing personal or financial information to unknown callers. Please contact Waynesboro police at 717-762-2131 or your local police department to make a report if you do find yourself in a similar situation, officers added.
