Introduction
A couple has fallen victim to a sophisticated scam, losing tens of thousands of dollars. This incident highlights a growing trend that the FBI is monitoring closely. Here is what happened and what you should look out for to avoid similar scams.
The Initial Contact
Crystal received a call on a Thursday afternoon from someone claiming to be with Chase Bank. The caller informed her of suspicious activity on her account, including a purchase from a Walmart in Cleveland, Ohio, for $2,043. Crystal denied making the purchase.
Verification Process
The caller read off several other transactions from Crystal’s account, verifying their authenticity. Despite not giving out personal information, the caller knew the last four digits of Crystal’s debit card.
Daughter’s Involvement
Concerned, Crystal asked her daughter to verify the phone number that had called her. After checking online, her daughter confirmed it appeared to be a legitimate Chase Bank number. Crystal then called the number back.
Access Code Request
The scammer, posing as a Chase representative, asked Crystal to verify her account by sending her an access code. This seemed legitimate to Crystal as it matched the format of codes Scam Unfolds
