Scams totaling over $1M affecting residents in Morgan Co.

MORGAN COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) — Multiple residents in Morgan County are being scammed out of a ton of money totaling over $1M.

According to MCSO, last week a resident reported losing $813,000 to a scammer posing as law enforcement and claiming they had Federal Warrants and Charges.

This particular resident made payments totaling $813,000 from January to May.

This week, another resident reported losing $15,000 to a scammer posing as law enforcement and claiming they had Warrants and Charges as well.

“These are scams. Every time. Do not give money to anyone claiming to be Law Enforcement over the phone….ever….PLEASE,” said the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office.

MCSO told News 19 that a third resident was contacted by his “bank” stating that they had received a tip about a $200,000 scam in the area and that his account had been compromised on the “dark web”.

Authorities said that the resident was directed to withdraw money from his bank and deposit it in a bitcoin machine in Huntsville “for safe keeping until the scam is resolved”.

In all, this resident lost $200,000.

The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office is providing some tips to residents on how to spot scams.

• You are contacted out of the blue
• There is an urgent crisis or issue
• The caller tries to make you fearful
• You are directed to send/give money or gift cards
• Hang up and call your bank to verify the issue
• Talk to someone before taking action
• When in doubt, hang up!