Broome Store Clerk Alerts Authorities to Gift Card Scam-in-Progress

The New York State Police is reminding people to be wary if someone calls and asks for payment in the form of gift cards.

October 23, a clerk at a local Dollar General in Broome County noticed an elderly man buying a large amount of Google Play gift cards while talking to someone on the phone.  The alert employee called 911 and troopers found the victim had been called by someone pretending to be a U.S. Marshal saying the elderly man was wanted out of state on a warrant.  The fake Marshal told the victim their vehicle had been used in a crime and he had to pay up by providing them with the serial numbers on the newly purchased gift cards.

Troopers say if anyone calls you and asks you to pay them by getting a gift card, it is a scam.  Do not give out personal information over the phone or allow someone to remotely connect to your computer.