SPRINGFIELD — The Police Department says an individual is preying on the city’s older adults by posing as a utility worker and asking to photograph their debit cards.
Police said a resident made a report to the Police Department Wednesday describing a person impersonating a public utility worker who was in the High Street area and allegedly used the using the debit card information to make withdrawals or online transactions.
Springfield Police spokesman Ryan Walsh said the individual who reported the incident wasn’t exactly sure when the suspect was in the neighborhood but noticed transactions and withdrawals from their account a couple of days prior.
“Our detectives are trying to review the videos to figure out when it may have happened and see if they can get a video of the suspect,” Walsh said. “We have city cameras in the area. The victim wasn’t completely sure the day or the area the suspect was present, so we’ll review some city cameras and try to locate the person that is accused of doing this.”
In a statement, the Police Department said residents should keep their debit card numbers secure.
“(Do) not ever show or give out your Debit Card information, which unlike a credit card links directly to a person’s bank account,” the statement said.
