Spring means scam time in Clinton County

LAMAR TOWNSHIP, PA – State police have reported a total of five scams or thefts in recent weeks in Clinton County, the loss more than $12,000 in all.

The largest loss, $6,814, occurred between Feb. 28 and March 8, the victim Frederick Saylor, 44, from the Coudersport Pike, Gallagher Township. Police said their investigation is ongoing, the money taken through withdrawals from Saylor’s Truist Bank account.

The Bald Eagle Truck Stop in McElhattan was scammed out of approximately $4,000, police said, on April 6. Police said their investigation is ongoing and anyone with information should contact them at 570-726-6000. No other details were provided.

Police said a 31-year-old female from Lusk Run Road, Allison Township, lost $486 in a theft by deception welfare fraud case. They said someone gained access to the victim’s state unemployment account, changed the banking information associated to the account and caused one payment for $486 to be sent to a different bank account, defrauding her of that amount.

A 33-year-old Beech Creek man is out $250 in a theft by deception case involving a puppy purchase. Police said on March 14 the victim responded to an advertisement for a puppy for sale online. He sent $50 to an individual through a cash app and sent a $200 gift card number to the suspect through Facebook messenger. The suspect then blocked the victim from social media. That investigation is ongoing.

A 71-year-old Flemington woman lost $500 in a theft by deception case. On March 7, police said, the woman received a phone call stating she won the Publishers Clearing House. She was instructed to send $4,000 for taxes up front; then was instructed to purchase a $500 gift card and read off the numbers for the scammer. Police said only the $500 gift card amount was lost by the victim.

Police again reminded the public to never purchase any type of gift card to give out and not give any personal information over the phone.