Police See Increase in Fraud Using Green Dot Prepaid Debit Cards

The South Pasadena Police Department has seen an increase in fraud using “Green Dot” prepaid debit cards. The scam has taken several forms, but all involve a suspect calling a victim and telling them they need to purchase thousands of dollars in Green Dot prepaid debit cards from a local supermarket, Rite Aid, CVS, Save-On, Walgreens, or similar store to avoid arrest, deportation, or to provide bail for a relative. Unfortunately, the elderly are targeted most frequently.

The suspect may tell the victim one of several lies: there are warrants for your arrest; there are fines due for failure to appear for jury duty; you have outstanding utility bills; or you will be deported. In some circumstances a suspect will pretend to be a relative in need of money to get out of jail or to avoid arrest. The suspect will probably not know the name of your relative, so do not offer it up. The suspect may say, “Grandma, it’s me. I am in trouble and need money right away. I just got arrested in Mexico and need to get out of jail. Can you help me?” The victim may then say, “Julie, is that you?,” thereby giving the suspect the name of the granddaughter.

All of the scams involve a demand that the victim go to a store and purchase the Green Dot cards to pay for the warrants, bail money, or settle the bill. The suspect will ask the victim to call them back with the numbers that are on the back of the card. Once the suspect has the numbers they can use the cards to purchase many goods on the internet. The cases are difficult to investigate because the cards are untraceable, as is the phone number the suspect is using.

The suspect may represent themselves as an attorney, utility worker, government official, court employee, or law enforcement officer. No government, law enforcement, or court official will ever contact a person and demand payment over the phone. If you receive such a call you are encouraged to tell the suspect you are calling the police and hang up immediately.

Any further questions should be directed to Crime Prevention Officer, Detective Richard Lee at (626) 403-7285.