Property crimes investigators with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Special
Investigations Unit (SIU) are asking the public to be extra diligent in light of recent local crimes
involving scammers who are posing as FBI agents and FDIC officials.
In two incidents reported in the last week alone, local residents have received messages with
links to what they believe to be their banks. Once the victims clicked on the bogus link, they
received a phone call from the scammer, who claimed to be investigating bank fraud. The
scammer told the victims that they needed their help in tracking down bank tellers who are
involved in illegal activity.
SIU SSgt. Scott Buffington said the scammers are knowledgeable about banking practices,
leading the victims to believe they can actually be part of the investigation.
“Once they click on that link, the scammer has access to the victim’s phone or computer. If the
victim has online banking, then the scammer often is successful in getting account numbers and
convincing the victim to withdraw money and sent it to the criminals,” Buffington said.
In one case reported last week, a victim lost more than $50,000. In another, a victim had gone to
the bank to withdraw $30,000 but the bank recognized the attempted fraud and thwarted the
crime.
Because both cases remain under investigation, HCSO is not releasing investigative
details in the crimes.
Investigators urge citizens to take the following precautions to avoid becoming victims:
DO NOT click on suspicious links on computers, tablets or phones.
DO NOT answer calls from unknown phone numbers.
DO report suspected fraudulent activity to your bank.
DO contact law enforcement if you have been victimized. Call Hall County Dispatch at
770-536-8812 to meet with a deputy or an investigator. Call 911 in an emergency.