us.cnn.com
Hurricane Victims Scammed
A family already devastated by Hurricane Helene and the disappearance of their mother suffers an additional blow when the father is scammed out of nearly $40,000 while trying to replace their lost truck.
English
United States
Climate ChangeRefugees And MigrationFraudDisasterFinancial LossFamily CrisisOnline Scam
CnnUs NavyBetter Business BureauChatham County Sheriff's OfficeAvery County Sheriff’s Office
Rod AshbyKim AshbyAnsley AshbyJessica MeidingerMelanie Mcgovern
- How was the scam discovered?
- Ansley Ashby, Rod's daughter, discovered the scam when she found the truck was still listed for sale on the fraudulent website. She called posing as a new buyer and confirmed that the truck was still available.
- How did the scammer defraud Rod Ashby?
- The scammer impersonated a legitimate Colorado car dealership, creating a copycat website to lure victims. They successfully defrauded Rod Ashby by accepting a wire transfer of almost $40,000.
- What happened to Rod Ashby's home and truck?
- Rod Ashby, a US Navy veteran, lost his home and his truck in Hurricane Helene. He then fell victim to an online scam while trying to replace his truck, losing nearly $40,000.
- What is the overall impact of the scam on the family?
- In addition to the financial loss, the family is dealing with the devastating loss of their home and the ongoing search for Kim Ashby, Rod's missing wife. The scam added to an already incredibly difficult situation.
- What actions did the family take after discovering the scam?
- The family reported the fraud to their bank, the scammer's bank, and the Chatham County Sheriff's Office. The investigation is ongoing, but recovering the funds is uncertain.