Greg's Corner

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  Geebo 8:00 am on August 2, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: kidnapping ( 10 ), Scams ( 1,362 ), virtual kidnapping ( 45 ), voice spoofing ( 21 )   

  Bank worker foils kidnapping scam for a mother 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Last week, a mother from Pasco, Washington, received a call that turned her world upside down. An unknown number informed her that her daughter had been kidnapped. It was only later that she realized this call, which appeared to come from a local number, was part of a sophisticated virtual scam. The scammers even allowed her to briefly ‘speak’ with her daughter. Although it is unclear how the kidnappers mimicked her daughter’s voice, it’s more than likely they used AI voice spoofing technology.

  Adding to the mother’s terror, the scammers threatened that if she attempted to call her daughter, they would harm her. Convinced that her daughter was in danger, the mother sent the kidnappers all the money she had, $600. But the demands didn’t stop there.

  The scammers coerced her into sending an additional $5,000 and directed her to a credit union to take out a loan. Thankfully, a vigilant employee at the credit union sensed something was amiss when they noticed someone on the phone claiming to have the woman’s daughter. The employee promptly alerted the police.

  As the mother remained on the line with the supposed kidnappers, the officer collaborated with the bank employees to obtain her address. Police arrived at her home to find her daughter safe and sound. The officer drove the daughter to the bank, where she and her mother were finally reunited.

  It’s important to recognize the signs of a virtual kidnapping scam. The calls do not originate from the alleged victim’s phone. Scammers strive to keep the target on the phone for extended periods and cannot answer simple questions about the person they claim to have kidnapped, such as their appearance.

  Anytime a stranger insists on keeping you on the phone, it’s a major red flag and likely an indication of a scam. Scammers rely on creating a sense of urgency and fear, preventing you from thinking clearly or seeking outside help. If you find yourself in such a situation, hang up immediately, verify the information independently, and reach out to local authorities.

   

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  Geebo 8:00 am on August 1, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: bank fraud ( 23 ), bank scam ( 70 ), Chase ( 14 ), impersonation scam ( 144 ), Scams ( 1,362 )   

  Couple recovers life savings after bank scam 

  

  By Greg Collier

  A retired couple from Buford, Georgia, has finally regained their life savings after falling victim to a sophisticated cyber scam. Their journey to justice was fraught with frustration and dead ends, but their perseverance has paid off.

  The scam began when the couple received text messages purportedly from their bank’s fraud department, warning that a debit card had been compromised. Concerned, they called the number provided, believing they were contacting Chase Bank. Instead, they unwittingly connected with scammers who, within 20 minutes, drained their bank account of nearly $50,000.

  Despite immediately reporting the fraudulent transaction, the couple was initially met with skepticism and dismissal. The bank claimed that they had either authorized the transactions or benefited from them.

  For months, the couple faced bureaucratic roadblocks. The police hadn’t assigned a detective to their case, and a federal watchdog group offered no assistance. The bank, meanwhile, considered the case closed.

  Frustration finally caught the attention of an assistant district attorney. With help, the case was brought to detectives who accessed the crucial phone records. These records revealed that scammers had called the bank, impersonating the couple and authorizing the large money transfers.

  The new evidence prompted the bank to conduct a third-party review, leading to the reversal of their previous decision. The stolen funds were restored to the couple’s account.

  If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, obtaining your phone records and presenting them to both the police and your bank can be crucial steps toward recovery.

  However, this case also raises important questions. Why do banks often accuse victims of benefiting from scams? Why does it frequently take media involvement before banks offer refunds to the victims? The journey to justice for scam victims should be more straightforward, highlighting the need for banks to prioritize customer protection and trust.