Scammers steal eighteen thousand dollars from Century Village woman

A 69-year-old woman living in Century Village East was scammed out of $18,000 after falling victim to con artists who posed as representatives of Chase Bank, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said the woman was using her iPad when a warning suddenly popped up on her screen claiming she had a problem with her bank account. The message included a phone number to call. Believing it to be legitimate, the woman dialed the number and was connected with individuals who claimed they were employees of Chase.  The CVE Reporter is not identifying the woman.

The scammers told her that in order to fix the issue, they would be sending someone to her condo to assist. Shortly after, a man arrived at the gates of Century Village East, called the woman, and was allowed inside. The suspect went to her front door, again claiming to be from Chase Bank, and told her he needed her ATM card and PIN to resolve the problem. Trusting the story, the woman handed over both. The man later used the card to withdraw $18,000 from her account.

The woman was not the only victim that weekend. Investigators said an 86-year-old man also fell prey to a nearly identical scam. In his case, a pop-up message appeared on his computer instructing him to call customer service. He was told the problem could only be resolved if he purchased $2,000 worth of Home Depot gift cards and turned over the card information. After complying, the scammers disappeared with his money.

Adam Hofstein, District Chief for the Broward Sheriff’s Office in Deerfield Beach, said these cases are part of a troubling trend of scam artists targeting seniors with increasingly aggressive and sophisticated schemes.

“This is an urgent warning,” Hofstein said. “No reputable company will ever ask you to send them money. No reputable company will ever ask for your personal information over the phone, and no government agency will ever demand that you pay with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.”

Hofstein noted that scammers often claim money is owed to the IRS, or that a relative is in immediate trouble and needs financial help, hoping to pressure their victims into acting quickly. “If you get a call like this, hang up and call us immediately,” Hofstein said.

Officials also believe that the cases reported to law enforcement represent just the tip of the iceberg. Many victims never come forward because they are lured into “get rich quick” schemes or promised easy money through bogus investments. After losing their savings, they often feel ashamed or embarrassed and choose not to report the crime. This silence, Hofstein said, makes it even harder for authorities to track down scammers and warn others.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office is urging residents who believe they may be the target of a scam to call 954-764-HELP (954-764-4357) before giving out any money or personal information.

“These scammers are getting bolder and are preying on some of the most vulnerable in our community,” Hofstein added. “The best defense is awareness. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.”