Butler Co. woman lost over $10k in Nike gift cards through social media scheme, state police say

BUTLER CO., Pa. — There’s a new warning from Pennsylvania State Police after a woman in Butler County was taken advantage of -- losing more than $10,000 in Nike gift cards.

According to state troopers, the suspect used Facebook to trick the 66-year-old woman from Renfrew. The woman spent large amounts of cash on several Nike gift cards and gave them to the criminal through Facebook.

It’s unclear how the suspect got the woman to agree to send the money, but the Better Business Bureau said gift card payments are a major red flag.

“If you’re being required to make payments through gift cards for any reason, it’s highly likely that you’re dealing with some type of scam,” said Caitlin Driscoll, public relations director for BBB of Southwestern Pa.

Driscoll said these social media schemes are costly for victims, and that people over 65 years old are more likely to fall victim.

“Scammers create plausible reasons as to why they’re being required. Also, people don’t realize that gift cards don’t carry the same protection as credit cards or making payment by debit cards,” she said.

According to Driscoll, no government agency will ever request a payment or money from you specifically through gift cards.

Anyone with information on this most recent scheme is asked to call state police at 724-284-8100.

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