Senior thwarts scam, warns others

Thursday, June 18, 2009 3:00 AM  |  Printer friendly version | E-mail to a friend | By Nathan Hardin

nhardin@salisburypost.comAfter advertising a set of Hutschenreuther china for sale in the Salisbury Post, Ingrid Walters was contacted via e-mail by a man who said his name was "David Flow."

Walters, a 73-year-old Landis woman, agreed to sell the German china for $250, but explained to the man that she would be out of town for a week.

When she returned from visiting family in Seattle, Walters discovered a FedEx packet at her house with a check for $2,760 inside.

As she checked her e-mail, she found a message that instructed her to cash the check, deduct the amount owed to her and send the rest back.

"I had no inclination after the first couple e-mails, but I got suspicious when he wouldn't disclose his location," Walters explained.

When she demanded some facts, the man said he was from New York City and that he needed the remaining balance to be sent to Corey Small at an address in Venice, Fla., as soon as possible. That would be more than $2,500.

Walters then knew the deal was not legitimate.

"It all didn't make sense," Walters said. "I watch television and I don't fall for scams."

Like many older citizens, Walters wondered if it would even be worth filing a complaint about the scam and turning it over to police.

"Elderly people seem to be primary targets of scams," said Capt. John Sifford of the Rowan County Sheriff's Office.

Walters didn't cash the check. And now she wants to notify others about her experience.

"I want to warn seniors to be more observant of the circumstances," Walters said. "Too many seniors are losing their Social Security and life savings."

If you think you're being scammed or have been a victim of scam, you can call the N.C. Attorney General's Office at 1-877-566-7226 or go to www.ncdoj.gov for more information.