DERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A Westmoreland County woman lost thousands of dollars in a Secret Service agent impersonation scam.
Information shared by District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli’s Office on Monday said Pennsylvania State Police troopers were notified of a theft that happened along State Route 217 in Derry Township.
The victim, a 67-year-old woman, told troopers she received several phone calls from numbers with Washington, D.C. area codes, and when she answered, the unknown caller claimed to be an agent with the Secret Service.
Authorities say the scammer requested money to be placed in a safe location and claimed it was needed in a federal case, instructing the victim not to contact any other law enforcement because it was a federal case that required secrecy.
The victim in this case lost $5,000 through Visa/Mastercard gift card purchases from Walmart. Police said those gift card numbers were given to the caller.
Authorities urge the public to never provide personal information, payment information, cryptocurrency or wire transfers to unknown parties.
Anyone who suspects suspicious activity is encouraged to hang up and call their local police department.
Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW