CHARMCO W.Va. (WVDN) – A Greenbrier County couple has been charged in connection with an alleged financial fraud scheme that resulted in more than $36,000 in unauthorized withdrawals from an elderly woman’s bank account, according to the West Virginia State Police.
Charmco residents Steven Simpson and Ashley Simpson are accused of illegally withdrawing funds from the account of an 82-year-old woman over the course of 16 months, using banking information obtained while performing contract work at her home, according to a criminal complaint filed.
The investigation began on Jan. 8, 2025, when the victim reported suspicious activity on her City National Bank account. A review of bank records revealed 103 fraudulent Automated Clearing House (ACH) transactions totaling approximately $36,454. Authorities said the funds were used to make payments to various credit cards, utility companies and a mortgage lender linked to the Simpsons and two other individuals, Larry and Sheri Alderman.
According to police, the Simpsons moved into a home near the victim’s residence in 2023 and soon became acquainted with her and her late husband, who passed away in November 2024. The couple hired the Simpsons, representing themselves as contractors under the name Total Home & Lawn Solutions, to perform various home improvement projects. The work continued until April 2024, and in May the victims made a final payment of $3,800 after the Simpsons allegedly threatened them with a mechanic’s lien.
On Dec. 23, 2025, the victim received an automated notification from City National Bank regarding an overdraft on her account. Upon further investigation, she discovered unauthorized ACH payments made in the names of Steven Simpson, Ashley Simpson, Larry Alderman and Sheri Alderman. The transactions were linked to payments for services such as Optimum, Capital One, AT&T, First Premier, Concora Credit, Mastercard, Carrington Mortgage and Brightspeed.
Authorities noted that a basic paper check contains all the necessary information to initiate ACH transactions, making it possible for the suspects to access the funds without the victim’s knowledge. The victim and her family provided the West Virginia State Police with all the documents they received from City National Bank detailing fraudulent charges.
During a police interview on Feb. 13, Ashley Simpson admitted to using banking details from checks issued by the victim to initiate fraudulent transactions. She also acknowledged making payments on behalf of the Aldermans using the victim’s account information. Simpson provided investigators with documents confirming her admission. While she could not recall the specifics of each transaction, she reviewed a detailed record of the fraudulent charges and stated she believed it to be accurate.
Steven Simpson, on the other hand, denied direct involvement, claiming he was unaware of his wife’s actions. However, investigators determined that more than $15,000 in fraudulent transactions were credited to accounts in his name. When questioned, Steven admitted that he and Ashley were facing financial difficulties during the period in question but stated that he “never discussed how household bills were being paid.”
Authorities continue to investigate whether additional individuals were involved in the fraudulent activities. Financial crime experts warn that elderly individuals are often targeted for such schemes due to their trust in service providers and their use of traditional banking methods, which can make them vulnerable to fraud.
Steven and Ashley Simpson have been charged with computer fraud, financial exploitation of an elderly person and fraudulent schemes. If convicted, they could face significant penalties including restitution payments and potential prison sentences. The case remains under investigation by the West Virginia State Police and additional charges may be filed as more information becomes available.
Officials encourage anyone who suspects financial fraud to report it immediately to their local law enforcement agency or financial institution. Victims of fraud can also seek assistance from consumer protection agencies and legal advisors to recover lost funds and prevent future incidents.
