Toledo Woman Says Impostor Posing As Deaf Services Center Worker Took $12,000, Leaving Her Evicted

A Toledo resident, Deborah Huber, says she was defrauded of about $12,000 after someone posing as an employee of the Deaf Services Center promised housing and furniture and requested payment in gift cards. The contact began on Facebook early in 2026 and moved to WhatsApp, where the impostor communicated with Huber for months.

Huber says the scammer even sent what appeared to be a deed and refunded small amounts at times, which reinforced the illusion of legitimacy. Convinced a move was imminent, she stopped paying rent on her existing home. On Aug. 13, 13abc reported that Huber's landlord carried out an eviction; a reporter observed her packing belongings into a shopping cart.

Deaf Services Center Not Implicated — The Deaf Services Center, which provides advocacy, communication access and employment assistance for deaf and hard-of-hearing people in northwest Ohio, posts official contact information on its website. Nothing in reporting suggests the organization itself participated in the scheme. Kyle Parke, a deaf and hard-of-hearing specialist at the center, later helped Huber navigate the aftermath.

Huber told reporters her hearing aids had recently stopped working, which worsened communication and increased her vulnerability. Parke said three other deaf residents had reported requests for money with similar patterns, though the accounts were not identical and no suspect has been publicly linked to all reports.

How the Scam Worked

The outreach began via Facebook message and continued on WhatsApp. The impostor promised a new home, furniture and a moving truck, and provided paperwork that looked official. Huber says she purchased and sent gift cards totaling about $12,000; occasional small refunds helped convince her the transaction was legitimate. When the moving truck never arrived, the promised home never materialized.

Consequences and Reporting

Beyond the direct loss, Huber accumulated unpaid rent after halting payments in anticipation of relocation. Her landlord brought eviction proceedings; the case required her to appear in court multiple times. Huber filed a police report, and Parke says the scammers continued trying to contact her after she discovered the fraud.

Expert Warning: Demand for payment via gift cards is a frequent scam tactic. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says gift-card payments are attractive to scammers because card value can be spent or transferred quickly and is difficult to recover.

Protective Steps And Resources

Practical steps to avoid similar frauds include:

• Independently verify any offer of housing or assistance. Use official phone, videophone or email contacts listed on an organization’s website rather than details supplied by the person who reached out.
• Never pay for services from a housing organization, charity or government office with gift cards; treat such payment requests as an immediate red flag.
• Confirm property ownership and records with the appropriate county recorder before ending rent payments or committing funds.
• If facing eviction, seek help immediately from Toledo Housing Court, Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, or other local tenant resources. Lucas County residents in urgent housing need can call 211 for shelter and support referrals.

Huber’s case highlights how scammers exploit trust, especially among people with communication barriers. Local advocates urge heightened vigilance, early legal help if eviction is threatened, and contacting reputable organizations directly when offered assistance.