Sioux Falls woman loses $58,000 after scam

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A 68-year-old Sioux Falls woman is out $58,000 after getting tangled up in a scam.

The Sioux Falls Police Department’s public information officer says it all started when a woman got a pop-up message about security on an iPad and she called the number.

At one point, she ended up on the line with someone claiming to be a federal agent.

“Who then said she was being accused of money laundering and quite a few other things, but he basically gave her instructions to withdraw money from her bank, and essentially the money would be secure, and this money laundering wouldn’t be happening, and that they would send her money for a check for that amount,” Clemens said.

Vice president for the Better Business Bureau of South Dakota Jessie Schmidt with the says threats and intimidation are tactics used by scammers.

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“It’s no different than someone sitting across the desk and has a gun pointed at you. That’s how threatening and intimidating they are. They know every rebuttal,” Schmidt said.

Clemens says the woman went to different banks to withdraw $58,000.

“This caller, the scammer, told the lady if she was asked by the bank to tell them she was purchasing a car or some type of furniture, which would explain why she was taking out such large amounts,” Clemens said.

“Those are red flags because banks are now trained to ask those questions if you’re withdrawing a large sum of cash,” Schmidt said.

Clemens says the police department will try to get the woman’s money back.

“But it’s a really steep hill to be able to climb to do that,” Clemens said.

Schmidt says don’t click on pop-ups. If you need tech support, call a business in your community for help.

If you find yourself on a similar phone call, hang up and call someone you trust such as a friend, the police, or your bank.