LEECHBURG, Pa. — Scammers are posing as a local police chief, and two people have already lost nearly $40,000 because of it.
Leechburg Borough Police Chief Jason Schaeffer said a scammer is targeting older citizens, using his name.
“Very upsetting because trust is everything to us, especially the older people,” Schaeffer said.
The scammer demands money using Bitcoin and gift cards and targets people who use banks across Armstrong and Westmoreland counties.
Schaeffer says one Westmoreland County man bought over $8500 worth of gift cards after thinking he was speaking with the chief.
“He believed that he was talking to me, that I had a warrant for his arrest for money laundering, and he believed he was sending me gift cards,” Schaeffer said.
Another woman withdrew $31,000 from five different Citizens Banks, thinking the chief needed her to send him Bitcoin.
“She was afraid, and the scammers were on the phone with her when she was going to all of these banks,” Schaeffer said.
People in the Alle-Kiski Valley say they heard about the scam and can’t believe they used Chief Schaeffer’s name.
“They are ruining his reputation because he’s doing such a good job for the citizens and his community,” Roberta McEllhattan from Lower Burrell said.
Schaeffer says it’s important to remember that police departments will never call you to ask for money.
He added that if you’ve done nothing wrong, there is no reason to be afraid, so be honest with your bank tellers or grocery store cashiers. They might just be trying to help protect you.
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