NORFOLK, Va.–A different kind of scam targeting members of Navy Federal Credit Union is being reported here.
A similar scam was also first reported in September, but it has returned with different tactics, according to a report by WAVY.
As one person, Matt Grubbs, told the news outlet, he found himself in the middle of a scam as he was leaving Planet Fitness earlier this month.
“I was leaving the gym at Southern Shopping Center in Norfolk and I pulled up to the red light to get onto Little Creek Road and I saw something out of the corner of my eye,” Grubbs told WAVY. “I just saw this motion. It got my attention so I turn over to the right and I see this guy just frantically waving at me going, ‘Hey, hey, roll down your window.'”
WAVY reported that as Grubbs sat at the red light, the man in the lane next to him asked him where the nearest Navy Federal Credit Union branch was located.
“He said, ‘It sounds like you know it well. Do you bank there?’ I said, ‘Yes I do.’ I really didn’t catch on to what was going on,” Grubbs told WAVY’s 10 On Your Side. “He says, ‘My account is locked out and you’re going to be my savior tonight. I need you to come to the bank with me. If you’re a member, you can help me get the account unlocked. Do you want $50?’ I said, ‘I don’t know, this sounds really weird.’ He says, ‘$60, $70, what do you want man? You’re going to be my savior.'”
Happens a Second Time
WAVY reported that Grubbs’ instinct told him to keep driving and as soon as the light changed green he drove away. Then, he said, it happened again a few days ago in the same place, the report added.
In that case, Grubbs told WAVY an SUV pulled up and blocked his car in as he was about to leave Food Lion.
“The guy rolls down his window and he goes, ‘Hey man, do you know where the nearest Navy Federal is?’ At that point I don’t know if my face told a story,” Grubbs told WAVY, “but I said, ‘Nope, I sure don’t,’ and he said, ‘Well, do you at least bank there?’ and I said, ‘Nope, I can’t say I do.'”
Others Have Similar Experiences
According to WAVY, Grubbs posted about the encounters on social media and found many others had a similar experience.
“A few people have actually been so nice that fell for it and went there and got scammed thousands of dollars,” Grubbs told the news outlet.
Police said they are aware of the scam and are investigating.