Cops have issued a warning to all shoppers to be extra vigilant in parking lots while getting supplies from their local stores.
Criminals Targeting Shoppers in Parking Lots
It comes as criminals are now targeting shoppers in grocery store parking lots, meaning all shoppers, including those at Walmart, Costco, and Kroger, could be at risk.
How the Scam Works
Victims report that they are approached as they’re returning to their cars, investigators have said. The scammers then hit them with a sob story, claiming they are raising funds for a medical emergency, a funeral, or some other urgent incident.
The Card Reader Trick
If the victim tries to offer cash, the scammer then says they can only accept card payments and brings out a card reader. Victims in a rush assume the amount on the card reader will be relatively low without looking properly, but it is often far higher than they expect.
Scammed Out of Thousands
Charleston Police in South Carolina have issued an appeal on the matter, claiming that some victims have been scammed out of thousands of dollars. In one case, the amount approached $10,000, according to reports.
Local Impact
After posting the appeal on Facebook, several Charleston locals claimed to have been targeted.
“They approached me at a Harris Teeter parking lot. What put me off is they all (4) carried clipboards and said their younger brother had died. They looked too old to have such a younger brother. I said no,” said one woman.
“I saw a post by another lady saying she encountered them and they harassed her until she agreed to give them something like 5 bucks and they tried to run $3000 on her card. Crazy!!” said another.
Why Parking Lots Are Ideal Targets
Parking lots are often used because the victims are distracted by children, traffic, and shopping carts. The number of people moving in and out of the area also allows the scammers to disappear into the crowds. Young women with children are also more likely to be targeted.
Full Appeal by City of Charleston Police Department
The Charleston Police Department is warning residents about a new scam reported in local grocery store parking lots.
Scammers are approaching victims and asking for donations for funeral or medical expenses. They claim they can’t accept cash and instead use a mobile card reader to process a “tap to pay” donation, in some cases withdrawing thousands of dollars from victims’ accounts.
Our officers recently shared tips at a local church on how to recognize and avoid scams like this. We’re committed to keeping our community informed and protected.
Request for Scam Prevention Presentations
If your church, neighborhood association, civic group, or organization would like a scam prevention presentation, we’re happy to help.
