Bethany Store Owner Warns Of Refund Scammer Targeting Small Businesses Across Oklahoma

A scammer targeting small businesses is moving across the Oklahoma City metro and northern Texas, according to a small business owner from Bethany.

Business owners from Piedmont, Bethany and Oklahoma City all said the same man came into their stores with a fake story, name, and phone number. 

"I hate that he goes around to small businesses like that and takes advantage of owners," owner of Piedmont's Hometown Hardware Vicki Hietpas said.

The owner of Bethany Country Store, Angela Horsley, said the man claimed he was in town after his daughter died when he bought two bags of expensive dog food. Horsley said the man returned later and told her his dog died after eating the store's product, and demanded a refund but had no proof. 

"Red flags immediately went up,' said Horsley. “When I wouldn’t just hand over the money, he became very agitated and he pulled out of my driveway in a very reckless manner."

Horsley said the man usually drives a very recognizable car, but this time he was in a different vehicle and slightly altered his appearance.

"I felt aggravated that he was trying to pull this on me," Horsley said. 

Horsley said small businesses need to stick together to stop this, or else there won’t be any left.

Bethany Country Store did file a police report, but since no money was given to the man, Bethany Police told the owners there isn't much more they can do but to be aware.