The Fredericksburg Police Department, in collaboration with Adult Protective Services (APS), is issuing a warning to local residents—especially seniors—about a rise in gift card scams and related fraud schemes targeting older adults.
Scammers have been impersonating government officials, distressed family members, and even forming fake romantic relationships to pressure their victims into sending gift card codes or depositing money into cryptocurrency ATMs.
Common Scam Tactics Include:
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Fake government officials: Posing as agents from the IRS, Social Security Administration, or local utilities, scammers claim unpaid fees or taxes must be paid immediately using gift cards. Authorities stress that no real government agency will ever request gift card payments.
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Family emergency hoaxes: Victims are contacted by someone pretending to be a relative in urgent trouble, demanding gift cards to solve a made-up emergency. Police recommend verifying with the family member directly before acting.
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Crypto ATM fraud: Scammers often build trust with older adults and guide them—sometimes while on the phone—to cryptocurrency ATMs where they deposit money into digital wallets. These machines are available in the City of Fredericksburg, increasing the risk locally.
Tips to Stay Safe:
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Never provide gift card numbers or codes to strangers.
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Don’t be pressured into making urgent payments.
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Always verify suspicious claims by contacting a trusted person or local authorities.
If you or someone you know may have been targeted, contact the Fredericksburg Police Department at (540) 373-3122, Adult Protective Services at (540) 940-2401, or the National Elder Fraud Hotline at (833) 372-8311. More resources are available at the DOJ’s Elder Justice Initiative: elderjustice.gov