Pre-Paid Green Dot Cards Targeted by Scammers in Fraud Schemes

The Nashville police Department wanted to inform the public about a scam involving Green Dot Money Cards that has emerged, exploiting the prepaid debit cards available at major retailers such as Walmart, Dollar General, Family Dollar, and pharmacies like Walgreens, Rite Aid, and CVS.

Scammers are deceiving victims into purchasing Green Dot Cards and providing the card’s PIN number. Once the scammer obtains the PIN, they gain immediate access to the funds, essentially treating the transaction as if cash were being sent directly. This method of fraud is difficult to track and even harder to recover from once the funds are transferred.

Green Dot does attempt to recover funds lost through fraudulent activities if the victim has a receipt. However, if the money has already been accessed by the scammer, a refund is generally not possible, making it exceptionally challenging to retrieve stolen funds.

The fraudsters employ various tactics to manipulate victims into this scam. They often impersonate officials from local police departments, utility companies, or the IRS, threatening dire consequences such as arrest, utility shutoff, or legal action unless payment is made via Green Dot Card.
Another prevalent scam involves romantic deception. Scammers create fake online profiles to establish a relationship with their victims. Once trust is built, they fabricate stories about financial hardships or a sick family member, persuading the victim to send Green Dot Cards to help.

Additionally, lottery scams are on the rise. Victims are contacted and informed that they have won a lottery prize. To claim their winnings, they are instructed to pay fees or taxes through a Green Dot Card.
Consumers are urged to exercise caution and be skeptical of unsolicited requests for payment via prepaid debit cards. If you suspect you have been targeted by such a scam, it is crucial to report it to the authorities immediately.