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This content is based on victim and potential victim accounts. Government agencies and legitimate business names and phone numbers are often used by scam artists to take advantage of people.
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I was approached on the sidewalk by a young man wearing a yellow high-visibility vest & lanyard with a badge claiming that he was raising money for funeral expenses for a family member who had been shot and killed. He had a clipboard with a piece of paper for signatures that had the State of Illinois seal in the background. The bottom of the paper said that said he couldn't accept cash donations. The lanyard had the Save the Children logo on it. I said I could donate $5, at which point two other men came over to where we were standing (also in vests with badges and clipboards). I handed my credit card to one of the men, who took my credit card and attempted tap to pay on his phone. The first man also took my phone to 'make sure the transaction went through.' A third man chatted me up while the other two men waited for the transaction to go through. They said the transaction wasn't going through because of the signal and asked if I had another card. When this card also didn't work, they asked me for another, at which point I became suspicious and said I didn't have any more cards. I said 'sorry for your loss' and walked away. The interaction felt off to me, so I immediately checked my credit card accounts which both showed multiple charges for $2,496 each to a PayPal account under the name Talaya Benson. While on hold with my credit cards,
I found this article online which I believe details this exact scam. https://abc7chicago.com/post/chicago-crime-con-artists-claim-need-donations-kids-funerals-steal-thousands-tap-pay?ravenswood-lincoln-park/16273430/
$14976
IL, USA- 60626
Chicago, IL
Unknown Email
Unknown Phone Number
Unknown URL
Charity
Learn More
Save the Children
August 11, 2025
1035561
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