Mentally Challenged Man Scammed by Fraudsters, Costing Mother Thousands

Highland Heights Police advise woman on protecting credit cards to prevent further fraud

Mar. 28, 2026 at 5:24pm

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A 53-year-old Highland Heights man with mental health challenges has been repeatedly scammed over the past seven years, costing his mother over $50,000 in fraudulent gift card purchases. The woman reported the ongoing issue to police, who provided advice on protecting her credit cards to prevent future occurrences. The son also opened a Verizon account in his mother's name, racking up $3,500 in charges, though she did not want to pursue charges.

Why it matters

This case highlights the vulnerability of individuals with mental health conditions to financial exploitation and the challenges families face in protecting their loved ones from repeat scams. It also underscores the need for greater awareness and resources to support those with diminished capacity and prevent them from becoming victims of fraud.

The details

The woman told police that her son, who is mentally challenged, constantly falls victim to scams but does not believe he is being deceived. Over the past seven years, he has used her credit cards to purchase thousands of dollars' worth of gift cards online and send them to random women. The mother estimated he has sent over $50,000 in gift cards through these fraudulent transactions. When she reported the issue, officers advised her on how to better protect her credit cards to prevent future occurrences. The following day, the woman returned to the station with her nephew, reporting that her son had also opened a Verizon account in her name, resulting in $3,500 in charges. While she did not want to pursue charges, she sought advice from the police.

  • On March 18, the woman reported the ongoing scam issues with her son to the Highland Heights Police.
  • The following day, March 19, the woman returned to the station with her nephew to report the $3,500 Verizon account opened in her name by her son.

The players

Highland Heights Police

The local law enforcement agency that provided advice to the woman on protecting her credit cards and handling the ongoing scam issues with her mentally challenged son.

The woman

A Highland Heights resident whose 53-year-old mentally challenged son has been repeatedly scammed, costing her over $50,000 in fraudulent gift card purchases and $3,500 in unauthorized Verizon charges.

The woman's son

A 53-year-old Highland Heights resident with mental health challenges who has been the victim of repeated scams, using his mother's credit cards to purchase thousands of dollars in gift cards and opening a Verizon account in her name.

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What they’re saying

“She said that he uses her credit cards to send gift cards over the Internet to random women. She believed that he had sent over $50,000 worth of gift cards over the past seven years.”

— The woman, Resident

What’s next

The Highland Heights Police advised the woman on how to better protect her credit cards to prevent future scams targeting her son. They also discussed options for handling the $3,500 Verizon account opened in her name, though she did not wish to pursue charges.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for greater support and resources to protect vulnerable individuals with mental health conditions from financial exploitation and repeated scams. Families in similar situations face significant challenges in safeguarding their loved ones, underscoring the importance of community-based solutions and educational initiatives to empower those at risk.