Prescott Resident Scammed Out Of $5,000 From An Email Thought To Be From Amazon

A Prescott resident was recently scammed out of $5,000 dollars after receiving an email the person thought was from Amazon. Yavapai County Sheriff’s officials say the victim called a phone number after she received an email scheduling delivery of a TV she didn’t order. She called the phone number provided in the email to cancel the order and the suspect told her it would cost $5,000 to “clean up” her computer. The person told her to buy Amazon security cards to pay for the service. The victim agreed to do that, even though she was suspicious. The victim went to three different Prescott area grocery stores where she bought ten gift cards at $500 each. While at the store, the victim asked a store clerk about the security cards, but the clerk was unaware of such a card and suggested another major retailer. Once the card numbers were given to the suspect, they began to ask for more money. She then hung up. Later that day, she received a notification from her credit card company that her purchase of the gift cards, might indicate fraud activity. Remember: If a scammer asks for payment via gift, or pre-paid, cards, it’s a scam.