Scam Artists Rip Off Westlake Woman To Tune Of $500

WESTLAKE, OH — A Westlake woman was ensnared by a loan scam. She lost $500 to a fake company called Ace Cash Express.

At 11 a.m. on Tuesday, the woman called police and said she suspected she had been the victim of a scam. She said she received an email from Ace Cash Express telling her she was eligible for a loan. She then got a phone call from a man saying he was a loan officer.

The loan officer told her she would need to pay a $500 fee to begin the process. She balked at the price, but the loan officer agreed to send $500 to her checking account, so the woman agreed to pay the fee.

The loan officer told the woman to send the $500 via Walmart gift cards. The woman bought the cards and then photographed them and sent them to the loan officer.

After sending the photos of the gift cards, the woman realized the money sent to her checking account was fraudulent. She then spoke with the Better Business Bureau and learned Ace Cash Express was not a real company.

"This is a reminder that no legitimate business, private company or government entity, will ask for payment in gift cards," Westlake police said. "DO NOT PAY in gift cards for tax debts, warrants, loans, or to get your computer unlocked or updated. If your boss asks via email or text message for you to buy and send gift card images electronically, it is more than likely it is a scam. Check out any requests before being victimized!"