A Columbiana woman reported to police that she was scammed out of approximately $250,000.

According to a police report, the woman went to the Columbiana Police Department to report the incident, which began early last week. She told officers she clicked on a link to confirm a Walmart order, which she had not placed.

The woman reported that the scammers then locked her phone and computer, took a picture of her, and threatened her not to tell anyone about their communication.

The report states the woman withdrew more than $20,000 in cash from three separate banks while a caller remained on the phone.

On Tuesday, a person was to pick up the cash at the end of her driveway but left without taking it. The pickup location was then changed to a location near Firestone Park, where a man with a covered face took the money.

The woman later discovered more than $250,000 missing from her accounts when she received an alert about an international transfer to Abu Dhabi.

Police said the banks were attempting to retrieve the money and told the woman to contact the local FBI field office and the Social Security Administration’s fraud line.

Investigators checked the area for doorbell camera footage but found none.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the evolving tactics used by scammers. 

Advice to Prevent Scams:

Be Wary of Unsolicited Links: Never click on links in emails or text messages from unknown or suspicious sources. Legitimate companies rarely, if ever, request sensitive information via unsolicited links.

Verify Information Directly: If you receive a notification about an order you didn't place, contact the company directly using the official contact information found on their website, not the information provided in the suspicious communication.

Never Share Personal Information: Do not provide personal information, such as bank account details, Social Security numbers, or passwords, to anyone you don't know or trust.

Beware of High-Pressure Tactics: Scammers often use threats and urgency to pressure victims into acting quickly. Legitimate organizations will not rush you or threaten you.

Be Cautious of Cash Withdrawals: If someone instructs you to withdraw large sums of cash and hand it over, it's a major red flag. Banks and legitimate businesses do not operate in this manner.

Strengthen Online Security: "Use strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible.

Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect you've been targeted by a scam, report it immediately to your local police department, the FTC, and the FBI.