Shocking Scam: 65-Year-Old Woman Loses $23K to Scammer Posing as Bank Employee!
Amy Kelly, a 65-year-old small business owner from Maine, experienced a day she wishes she could forget. On September 5, after a busy day helping customers at her art studio, she received a phone call that would change her life.
At 4:30 p.m., her phone rang. The caller claimed to be Justin Turner from the Bank of America’s fraud department. He told Amy that the bank was reaching out to prevent an unauthorized transaction on her account. According to him, she was about to lose $23,000 by the next day.
To stop this from happening, he said she needed to share her computer screen and complete a wire transfer to “protect” her money. Feeling panicked and overwhelmed, Amy did as she was told.
“I was starting to panic, and all my logic just went out the window,” she told CBS 13 News.
After sending the money, Amy began to have doubts. She asked “Justin Turner” if she should visit her Bank of America branch to ensure everything was in order. He told her not to go—that everything was “all taken care of.”
“That’s when I knew I had been scammed,” she said. Realizing what had happened, Amy rushed to her bank. She alleges she was made to wait for six hours before she could speak to the manager. Now, weeks later, the issue still hasn’t been resolved.
Signs You’re Dealing with a Scammer
Scams like this are becoming more common. According to the latest data from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), American consumers reported losing over $10 billion to fraud in 2023 alone. Imposter scams—like the one Amy experienced—accounted for $2.7 billion of that loss.
A 2023 Gallup poll also found that 15% of U.S. adults said someone in their household had been scammed in the past year.
Scammers often use tactics that play on people’s emotions. In Amy’s case, “Justin Turner” created a sense of urgency to manipulate her into sending $23,000. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) warns that this is a common trick used by fraudsters.
Here are some red flags that may indicate you’re dealing with a scammer:
- Unexpected Contact: They claim to be from a government agency, bank, business, or a relative you haven’t heard from in a while.
- Urgent Requests: They pressure you to “act now” and create a sense of urgency.
- Upfront Payments: They ask you to pay money or taxes upfront.
- Unusual Payment Methods: They ask you to wire money, send cryptocurrency, or download a payment app to transfer funds.
- Too Good to Be True: They tell you that you’ve won a prize but need to pay a fee first.
How to Protect Yourself from Scams
To safeguard yourself against scams, consider these tips:
- Screen Your Calls: Don’t answer calls from numbers you don’t recognize. If it’s important, they’ll leave a voicemail.
- Be Cautious with Links: Be wary of emails or texts from unknown senders. Don’t click on links or scan QR codes.
- Protect Personal Information: Never share personal details like PINs, passwords, bank account numbers, credit card information, or Social Security numbers.
- Don’t Let Emotions Drive You: Scammers often try to make you feel scared or excited to get you to act quickly. Take a moment to think.
- Verify the Source: If you’re unsure, hang up and call the organization back using a number you know is legitimate.
- Use the Do Not Call Registry: For added protection, add your number to the FTC’s National Do Not Call Registry.
Amy’s Ongoing Struggle
Amy is disappointed with how her bank handled the situation. She alleges the Bank of America branch manager told her to fill out some paperwork and suggested she get a lawyer.
“They haven’t been helpful at all. I don’t believe they did right by me,” she said. “It was really strange that it wasn’t a priority.”
A Bank of America spokesperson told CBS 13 News that they are trying to recover Amy’s money from the receiving bank, but there’s no guarantee they’ll get it back.
After being a customer for 23 years, Amy has moved all her money to a different financial institution.
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