WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – When it comes to scams, researchers at FactFinder often hear many people in the community say they would never fall for a scam.

That was the case for a Wichita woman until she received a text saying she needed to secure her bank account. The text message was allegedly sent from an Apple Security representative informing him that his Apple ID was used to spend $143.95.

To Shawna Perdue, the message seemed legitimate. He said the request seemed suspicious and that he should call a number if he wanted to maintain the privacy of his account.

He said the man on the other end of the phone told him that hundreds of hackers were trying to break into his account and the only way to protect himself was to move the money from his bank account.

“There were no red flags,” Perdue said. “The yellow flag wasn’t even raised. I didn’t get the sense that this wasn’t legitimately Apple security.”

However, the fraudster was using a phishing technique. The caller had Perdue load money into his Venmo wallet and he was able to take it from there. Even though she still didn’t know she was being scammed, Shawna was told she needed to do more.

“I was told to go to Home Depot and get gift cards,” Perdue said.

Perdue questioned why he was asked to go to Home Depot, but added that the caller seemed smart and convinced him. He ended up going to two different Home Depot locations and spent $3,500 on gift cards. Perdue also purchased a $500 Apple gift card.

Looking back, he knew it was a mistake, but he said he did not now question the spending of his bank and store employees.

“I actually feel very stupid, very foolish, very deceived and very violated,” Perdue said.

While still on the phone, the man read the numbers on the back of the gift cards. He thought doing this would save his account. That was until he saw these purchases and Venmo statements being sent to his bank account, which meant he lost his money.

“They took everything,” Perdue said through tears.

Perdue filed a report with the Federal Trade Commission and the Wichita Police Department. He also contacted his bank for help, but they said he would not be able to get back the thousands of dollars he lost because the bank had voluntarily authorized the payments.

Perdue told 12 News that days after receiving the gift cards, the man tried to call and text him, but this time he knew he wouldn’t answer. He now hopes his story will help others not fall for such scams.

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