Putnam County, WV – Residents in West Virginia are being warned of a new text scam after the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office reported receiving fraudulent messages this week.
According to the sheriff’s office, scammers are sending texts impersonating familiar names or contacts and then requesting gift cards for supposed emergencies or presentations. One example showed a sender identifying themselves as “Jon Gruen,” who allegedly asked the recipient to quickly purchase Apple, Google, CVS, Target, or Staples gift cards.
The sheriff noted that scammers often tailor messages to appear personal, hoping to catch recipients off guard. In this case, the texts included grammatical errors and unusual phrasing — both strong indicators of fraud. Authorities emphasized that legitimate organizations or coworkers will not request gift cards through text messages.
Officials say these scams are becoming increasingly common across West Virginia and other states, especially targeting individuals who may trust the sender without verifying their identity. Residents are urged not to respond to suspicious texts, avoid clicking on unknown links, and never provide financial information or purchase gift cards as requested by strangers.
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office recommends blocking the number and reporting incidents to law enforcement. If money has already been sent, victims should contact their financial institution immediately.
“Stay alert and double-check unusual requests,” the sheriff’s office advised. “When in doubt, call the person directly or verify through another channel.”
This scam warning comes as reports of fraudulent text messages and phone calls continue to rise statewide.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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