FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Broward Sheriff's Office detectives from the Economic Crimes Unit are searching for at least two women involved in a scam targeting residents in the county, primarily the elderly.
According to BSO spokeswoman Joy Oglesby, a woman calls the victim and claims to be a bank fraud investigator.
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She then tells the victim that there is fraudulent activity on the victim's bank-issued card that needs to be resolved immediately.
Oglesby said the woman tells the victim that a representative from the bank will come to their home to confiscate the card.
Another woman then shows up to the victim's home, sometimes when the victim is still on the phone with the other woman, and takes the victim's card.
Oglesby said the woman promises to swap the card with one that is chip-enabled.
According to detectives, the women immediately use the credit and debit cards to make ATM withdrawals or retail purchases.
Surveillance video shows the women using a 76-year-old man's card during a transaction at a Walmart on May 22.
Authorities said five debit and credit cards were taken from the victim.
A 48-year-old man's debit card was used to make a withdrawal from an ATM June 16 shortly after it was taken.
Detectives described the culprits as black women in their 20s or 30s. One is said to be heavyset and the other appears to have a thin build. They dress casually in jeans, scrubs or a dress when they approach the victims.
Detectives believe the women might have accomplices.
Anyone with information about the women's identities is asked to call Detective Nora Schwartz at 954-321-4763. Anonymous tips can be made to Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. A reward of up to $3,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.