The Port St. Lucie Police Department is seeking two people suspected of scamming an elderly woman living in St. Lucie West. The suspects are accused of taking more than $2,600 from the victim.
According to police, the woman called authorities July 6 shortly before 9 p.m. to report a phone call she had received earlier in the evening from what she thought was the fraud department at Wells Fargo Bank.
The caller told her that her debit card was being used at various locations and convinced her to verify her identity – including her account information and other details. The caller also told her that police had already caught the culprit and that she should meet with a Wells Fargo representative at a nearby Dunkin’ Donuts.
The victim did as instructed and met with a woman presenting herself as a Wells Fargo representative. The suspect identified herself as Kimberly and provided the victim with the supposed compromised debit card. She was told she would receive two new cards.
“Kimberly” told the victim to wait at the Dunkin’ for someone to come and show her a picture of the “suspect” to determine whether she could identify the suspect.
The victim waited at Dunkin’ for an hour but no one showed up, according to police. So the woman went home and called Wells Fargo to report what had happened. Her account was shut down to prevent further activity.
However, the scammers were able to make multiple transactions including more than $2,300 at two Publix stores and $300 from an ATM.
The female suspect, as described by the victim, is a black female with a thin build wearing a blonde wig, maroon shirt and tight black pants.
The other suspect, caught on surveillance footage, is a black male with a slim build standing between 5 feet, 11 inches and 6 feet, 2 inches. He was wearing a black knit cap, a black T-shirt, black shorts with a red stripe, and black sneakers.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Officer Herzog at 772-871-5000, or remain anonymous by calling Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers 800-273-TIPS (8477).
