07/17/2026
Often people who have been scammed call us for help AFTER they have fallen victim to one of these scams. We can't help, but we can forward you this warning. We HIGHLY recommend that if you have elderly family members, you have them follow their local law enforcement pages for warnings and to help them download the app on their phone from the departments.
SCAM AWARENESS
The Transylvania County Sheriff's Office is asking our community to remain vigilant as we continue to receive a high volume of scam reports and attempted scams.
We are receiving multiple reports from local stores that elderly customers are purchasing hundreds of dollars in Apple Gift Cards, iTunes Gift Cards, and Green Dot prepaid cards. In many cases, store employees recognize that something isn't right, but they are often unable to question the customer or stop the purchase.
Please remember:No legitimate business, government agency, law enforcement agency, utility company, bank, or technology company will ever require you to pay with gift cards or prepaid cards. If someone is demanding payment this way, it is a scam.
Scammers are becoming increasingly convincing. They often claim:• A loved one has been arrested or is in trouble.• Your computer has been hacked.• You owe taxes or missed jury duty.• Your bank account has been compromised.• Your Social Security or other government benefits are at risk.
Their goal is to create panic and convince victims to act before verifying the story.
We encourage everyone to check in with elderly family members, friends, neighbors, and loved ones. A simple conversation about these scams could prevent someone from losing thousands of dollars. Let's all look out for one another.
