Parking lots are designed for quick stops. Drivers pull in, grab groceries, load their trunks and head back on the road. But police are warning that the same spaces where motorists park their vehicles have quietly become a hunting ground for a new and aggressive scam.
Authorities in Charleston say criminals are targeting shoppers in grocery store parking lots with a deceptive scheme that can drain thousands of dollars from a victim’s bank account in seconds. The scam relies on pressure, sympathy and a portable payment device that turns what appears to be a small donation into a major financial loss.
A Sob Story with a Hidden Trap
According to investigators, the suspects usually work in small groups and wait for drivers to return to their vehicles after shopping.
As motorists load groceries into their trunks or prepare to leave the parking lot, the group approaches and begins a conversation that often starts with a heartbreaking story.
Victims report being told that the scammers are collecting donations for a funeral, a medical emergency, or another urgent cause. The story is designed to create emotional pressure. Shoppers are made to feel they are helping someone in distress and that even a small amount of money could make a difference…