Action 9 confronts scammers who obtained old NC government number

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — There's a warning for nearly one million North Carolinians after scammers got their hands on an old government number.

The North Carolina Treasurer runs the North Carolina Retirement Systems. The treasurer changed the phone number for the Retirement Systems, but scammers got the old number and it’s not clear how.

Some people called the old number, the scammers pretended to be with the Retirement Systems and the scammers tried to get personal information from the callers.

The Retirement Systems has 950,000 members – 1 in 8 working North Carolina residents – including police, firefighters, teachers and other public servants.

Tracy Greenstreet is a member. She was a teacher and school counselor for 41 years. She said she retired from Providence High School two years ago.

Greenstreet said she wanted to tweak the tax part of her retirement plan. She called the old number, thinking she was calling Raleigh, and ended up talking to the scammers instead.

“They were good,” Greenstreet said. “They’re shooting like ducks in a barrel because they’re just sitting there with their phone, just waiting for you to call.

The scammers apologized for keeping her on hold, offered her a Walmart gift card for her trouble and asked for her credit card information, according to Greenstreet. She said she gave her information, got off the phone, had second thoughts and immediately canceled the credit card.

“I just got scammed,” she said. “I was shaking I was so upset.”

Action 9 investigators Jason Stoogenke called the old number and confronted the person on the other line.

“You’re with the Retirement Systems?” Jason asked.

“Absolutely right sir, Retirement Systems. You dialed the right number,” the scammer answered.

“No you’re not. No you’re not. We both know you’re not,” Jason responded.

The scammer made a comment that was inaudible.

“You’re not with the Retirement Systems. You know you have nothing to do with the State of North Carolina,” Jason said.

(Click PLAY to watch Jason confront scammer on the phone)

The scammer hung up.

The North Carolina Treasurer is aware of the problem and has posted a warning on its website. He is working with the North Carolina attorney general to see if the state can redirect the old number back to the Retirement Systems.

Cox Media Group