Tri-Cities Scammers Want You to Buy Green Dot Cards

More than one police agency is warning of scams hitting hard in the Tri-Cities these days. The Richland Police Facebook page is alerting you that Sgt. Swanson is NOT calling people who have missed a court date. The scammer claims to be Sgt. Swanson and requests personal information.

Over on the West Richland Police Facebook page, it's a little different story. Scammers are asking folks to buy Green Dot cards to settle outstanding warrants. Having no clue what a Green Dot card is, I did a little internet investigating. Green Dot cards are available in stores and basically, they're a VISA debit card. Yep...every bit as good as cash (once they're paid for), and once you turn one of these over to a crook, there's no way to get your money back later. This has actually been going on for quite some time with Amazon gift cards and others that, pure and simple, are money once they've been activated.

It's mind-blowing to me that anyone ever falls for this stuff, but if you catch the right person on just the right day, it somehow all seems legit and they get taken.