State police at Fern Ridge said a victim of a theft by deception/wire fraud attempt nearly lost close to $20,000 in a scheme to which they were summoned to investigate at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 22.

Police said they were called to a property on Parkside Avenue in Tobyhanna Township where the victim related having been contacted through her computer about a virus. She told police she telephoned the number listed on the pop-up and was told to go to her bank and withdraw $19,800 to pay for items that had been purchased through fraudulent use of her bank cards.

Police said the woman went to her bank and withdrew the money before returning to her home. She was then contacted by a bank employee who inquired if the victim was OK. When the woman explained why she withdrew the money, the bank employee recommended the victim return the money to the bank and notify police of the incident.

Police said they want to call the public’s attention to this and similar deceptive incidents and said no one is going to call you and ask for funds to fix your computer or pay for crimes committed against you. They recommend victims of such efforts contact their local police department of the state police with questions or reports concerning fraudulent activities.