Scottsdale Couple Scammed While Trying To Get Vaccine Appointment

SCOTTSDALE, AZ — A Scottsdale couple is warning Arizona seniors of a scam that drained them of their life savings.

The Prettymans, who are in their 80s and not tech-savvy, told Fox 10 they lost thousands of dollars after a scam took advantage of their desperation to get a coronavirus vaccine.

"It was frustrating that I had been trying for a month to get a reservation for — or an appointment, rather, for a vaccine in the first place," Faith Prettyman told the local news station.

When Prettyman logged on to attempt to find an appointment yet again last week, a pop-up from 'Microsoft' appeared on her computer screen and told her she had been hacked. Prettyman dialed a number included in the pop-up and spoke with a man who told her that her personal information had been stolen.

The solution? Multiple gift cards.

"So she went and did that, and she purchased nine $500 gift cards from the U.S. Post Office," Sydnie Cadenas, a friend of the family, said.

The scam drained the Prettymans of approximately $4,500. The couple said they have filed a report with the Scottsdale Police Department.

Sgt. Bryan Reynolds, Scottsdale police spokesperson, confirmed to Patch that they spoke with the Prettymans regarding the scam. He also reiterated that no law enforcement or government agency would ever ask for gift card payment.

"If someone claiming to be from any government agency tells you you can make a payment to them to satisfy a fine by purchasing a gift card, you are being scammed," he said.

While the Prettymans were eventually able to schedule their vaccine appointments, the financial blow was devastating for the elderly couple.

"That someone could take advantage of you so easily," Prettyman said.