Sarasota Police Issue Urgent Warning Over New “Rideshare” Banking Scam
SARASOTA, FL – The Sarasota Police Department is sounding the alarm on a sophisticated new scam targeting local residents, specifically those who utilize banking apps and rideshare services.
How the Scam Works
Detectives say the “rideshare scam” involves a highly coordinated effort to trick victims into handing over large amounts of cash.
- The Initial Contact: Scammers call victims posing as bank security officers, claiming their accounts have been compromised.
- The “Safety” Withdrawal: To “secure” the funds, the victim is instructed to withdraw thousands of dollars in cash.
- The Pickup: Instead of having the victim visit a branch, the scammers send a rideshare driver to the victim’s home. The victim is then told to hand the cash to the driver, who is often an unwitting participant in the crime.
How to Protect Yourself
Authorities are reminding the public that legitimate financial institutions will never ask you to withdraw cash for “protection” or send a third-party driver to collect funds.
“If you receive a call asking for cash to be handed over to a driver, hang up immediately,” the department stated. “This is not how banking security operates.”…