Berea Resident Defrauded in $10,900 Fake Bank Scam

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A Berea, Ohio resident was defrauded of $10,900 after receiving a call from someone posing as a representative of Chase Bank and Experian. The fraudster told the victim she owed money to a company called Next Level Consulting, and the resident used accounts at two banks to pay the fake debt. The victim later spoke to people claiming to be from Next Level Consulting and Experian before becoming suspicious and reporting the incident to the banks, who advised contacting the police.

Why it matters

Fraud and scams targeting individuals, especially the elderly, are an ongoing issue that can have serious financial consequences for victims. This case highlights the need for vigilance when receiving unsolicited calls about alleged debts or financial obligations, as well as the importance of quickly reporting suspected fraud to financial institutions and law enforcement.

The details

According to the report, the Berea resident received a call on March 4 from someone claiming to be a representative of Chase Bank and Experian. The fraudster told the woman she owed $10,900 to a company called Next Level Consulting. The victim used accounts at two different banks to pay the fake debt. She later spoke to people claiming to be from Next Level Consulting and Experian before becoming suspicious and reporting the incident to her banks, who advised contacting the police.

• The resident received the fraudulent call on March 4, 2026.
• The resident used accounts at two banks to pay the $10,900 fake debt.

What’s next

Police have left a voicemail message on one of the numbers that contacted the victim, and the investigation is ongoing.