An 82-year-old Lyerly woman has reported suspected financial card fraud after her bank advised her to file a report with the Summerville Police Department, highlighting a growing problem that law enforcement and consumer advocates say can strike anyone — but often targets seniors.

According to an information-only report, the woman met with an officer on December 18 after bringing documentation from United Community Bank showing multiple disputed charges tied to her account. The paperwork listed a total of $6,389.74 in disputed activity, including 45 pending Amazon purchases. The woman also reported noticing additional transactions on her phone that had not yet appeared on her printed bank statement. She told police she does not have an Amazon account and would not know how to place an order through the service. The report indicates the case will be forwarded to the appropriate agency for financial fraud investigation.

Why this matters: Fraud is increasingly common — and it moves fast

Consumer fraud cases frequently involve stolen card numbers, account takeovers, or online purchases made using compromised information. In many cases, criminals don’t need the physical card. Card data can be stolen through:

  • Skimming devices placed on gas pumps or ATMs

  • Phishing texts/emails pretending to be a bank, delivery company, or retailer

  • Data breaches where personal information is exposed

  • Phone scams where victims are pressured into “verifying” account details

  • Fake online sellers or checkout pages designed to capture card numbers

Once thieves have card information, they may test it with small charges, then quickly move to larger purchases or multiple online transactions — sometimes before the victim even realizes the account has been compromised.

What to do if you suspect fraud

Authorities and financial institutions typically recommend taking action immediately:

  1. Contact your bank or card issuer right away to freeze the card and dispute charges.

  2. Change account passwords (and email passwords, since email often controls password resets).

  3. Review recent transactions line-by-line — fraud often comes in clusters.

  4. Request a new card number (not just a replacement card).

  5. Ask about provisional credit while the bank investigates disputed charges.

  6. File a police report if advised — it creates documentation that may help with investigation and disputes.

  7. Monitor your credit and consider a fraud alert or credit freeze if identity theft is suspected.

Tips to help prevent card and identity fraud

Law enforcement and consumer experts encourage residents to reduce risk with a few practical steps:

  • Use account alerts for purchases over a set amount (even $1 alerts can help).

  • Avoid clicking links in unexpected texts/emails — go directly to the bank’s official app or website.

  • Check gas pumps and ATMs for loose parts or anything that looks tampered with.

  • Use tap-to-pay or digital wallets when possible; they can reduce exposure of the actual card number.

  • Never share one-time codes sent by your bank — scammers commonly ask for these.

  • Be cautious of pressure tactics (“act now,” “your account will be closed,” etc.).

A reminder for families

Seniors are often targeted because scammers believe they may be more trusting or less familiar with changing technology. Families are encouraged to talk with older relatives about common scams, set up fraud alerts, and make sure loved ones know it’s always okay to hang up and verify using a trusted number.

Anyone who believes they may be a victim of fraud is encouraged to contact their financial institution immediately and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement.