Bend Police are urging the public to be aware of a scam involving gift cards that has struck several local businesses.
On Dec. 28, 2022, Bend Police received a report of a theft at Bangers & Brews. A caller told an employee that the business owner was being held by U.S. Marshals, the restaurant was being audited and the employee needed to send $1,000 in gift cards in order to release the owner. Ultimately the employee provided $1,000 in gift cards and another $1,000 from a personal bank account to the scammer via an online app. The scammers spoofed the owner’s phone number and seemed to know information about the business and its employees.
On Jan. 4, 2023, Bend Police received a report of a theft at Shari’s North. The restaurant’s manager told Bend Police that an employee had received a call during the night from a person claiming to be the Shari’s corporate financial auditor. The caller, who spoofed the district manager’s phone number, alleged the restaurant had received counterfeit bills and the Internal Revenue Service was conducting an audit and needed gift cards. The caller told the employee to empty the register and to buy gift cards with the money, then mail them to an IRS address. In total, $3,070 in gift cards were sent to the scammer.
Bend Police continue to investigate these crimes but urge local businesses to educate employees and know that organizations and governmental agencies will not call to ask for money, especially via gift cards, to end an audit, arrest or other event.
