Bay City Police alert businesses about scammers posing as owners to steal cash.
BAY CITY, Texas — Scammers are calling businesses in an attempt to trick employees into giving them cash.
With the busy summer season in full gear, local businesses are being advised to watch out for a specific phone scam. According to a Facebook post by the Bay City Police Department, the scammers impersonate business owners and deceive employees into handing over money.
Police said scammers contact the main office line or employees’ personal cell phones, pretending to be the business owner. They gain the employee’s trust by inventing an urgent excuse, then instruct them to empty the cash register as a way to resolve the “urgent issue.”
They then direct the employee to deposit the money into a Bitcoin machine, making it appear to be a legitimate business request.
“The employees believe they are talking to the owner of the businesses and unknowingly do what the scammers ask,” the post stated. “This is a SCAM.”
Authorities are urging businesses to alert and train their staff on how to recognize suspicious behavior.
“If your employees are not sure who they are speaking to on the phone, they need to contact a manager and hang up the phone,” police said. “Train your employees on how to know when they are possibly being scammed.”
City officials emphasized that scammers are constantly adapting their tactics.
“SCAMMERS do not take a day off and always have new tricks up their sleeves,” the post warned.
Anyone who suspects a scam is encouraged to contact the Bay City Police Department and speak with an officer by calling 979-245-8500.