{"id":2965,"date":"2026-06-09T04:34:31","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T04:34:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tampamovingjournal.com\/?p=2965"},"modified":"2026-06-09T04:34:31","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T04:34:31","slug":"clearwater-retail-store-manager-honored-by-police-after-stopping-1k-gift-card-scam-targeting-senior-customer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tampamovingjournal.com\/?p=2965","title":{"rendered":"Clearwater retail store manager honored by police after stopping $1K gift card scam targeting senior customer"},"content":{"rendered":"

CLEARWATER, Fla.<\/strong> – <\/span>A Clearwater retail worker received a formal commendation after stepping in to protect an older customer from a gift card scam.\u00a0<\/p>

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Clearwater fraud intervention<\/h2>

What we know:<\/p>

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Theresa Harmon, a manager at a Dollar Tree in Clearwater, was working at her register when she noticed several immediate warning signs.\u00a0<\/p>

An elderly customer successfully bought a $500 gift card and immediately tried to purchase a second one, but that transaction failed.\u00a0<\/p>

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The man briefly walked out of the business before returning a few minutes later while holding his phone out.\u00a0<\/p>

Harmon refused to sell him another card, successfully persuaded him to hang up on the fraudster, and issued a complete refund for the first $500 purchase.<\/p>

Tracking anonymous scammers<\/h2>

What we don’t know:<\/p>

Clearwater police have not yet identified the individual suspect who called the victim or confirmed where the call originated.\u00a0<\/p>

Investigators have not disclosed if any other local retail locations reported similar gift card fraud attempts during the same week.<\/p>

It remains unknown if detectives can trace the specific phone number used by the criminal, as fraudsters frequently utilize technology to mask their identities.<\/p>

Sweepstakes scam pitch<\/h2>

The backstory:<\/p>

When Harmon questioned the customer, the man revealed he was speaking with someone claiming to represent Publishers Clearing House.\u00a0<\/p>

The voice on the phone promised to deliver a brand-new truck to the victim in exchange for the gift cards.\u00a0<\/p>

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Harmon tried to reason with the man to prevent the financial loss.\u00a0<\/p>

The Clearwater Police Department later honored her quick thinking with its Samaritan Award.<\/p>

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Financial crime frequency<\/h2>

By the numbers:<\/p>