Scam carried out in the name of legitimate online retailer

Warnings are being issued to unsuspecting members of the public to be wary of a telephone scam being perpetrated by fraudsters in the name of the company Amazon.   According to Oconee Sheriff’s Office, one victim is said to have lost about $19 thousand after being contacted by an individual who claimed to represent the online retailer.  That victim was told her account had multiple charges and she would have to purchase gift cards to pay the debt.  Walhalla area resident Berry Nichols says the scammers keep calling him, even though he hangs the phone up.  “I’m tired of it,” Nichols told 101.7/WGOG NEWS.  Once the victim who lost $19 thousand became aware of the scam, she acted to have her credit cards cancelled.  The phone number from which she was first contacted was re-dialed, but the call went to a “text now” voicemail.  “As we have mentioned previously,” says Jimmy Watt, Master Deputy, said, “legitimate businesses will not require payment to be made using a prepaid or a gift card.  If someone requests payment to be made this way, it is a scam.  Also, if someone calls from a business who claims you owe thousands of dollars hang up the phone and place the call to that business directly yourself to verify these claims.”