My wife fell for a scam...

[Reglin]

Banks do not send text messages. Always monitor your accounts online every morning. If anything suspicious occurs you can then call your bank.

[mtrunner]

Originally Posted by Reglin

Banks do not send text messages. Always monitor your accounts online every morning. If anything suspicious occurs you can then call your bank.

For my credit cards I actually do receive text messages in cases of possible fraudulent charges. I have made a couple of purchases before online and received a text asking me to respond "Yes" if I made the purchase.

[Reglin]

Originally Posted by mtrunner

For my credit cards I actually do receive text messages in cases of possible fraudulent charges. I have made a couple of purchases before online and received a text asking me to respond "Yes" if I made the purchase.

I have that setup on mine as well. It’s crazy how much fraud there is today!


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[faz]

OP, sorry to hear, hope everything works out.

Originally Posted by fusionstorm

I always warn my wife (and myself) to be wary of answering calls and texts from numbers you don't recognize. Last time I happened to pick up a call to our home phone, it was a recorded message claiming to be calling from one of our banks about fraudulent activity, and that I should enter the last 4 of my social security number to verify my identity. I just laughed, hung up and ignored the followup phone calls. Went online and checked my accounts.....no suspicious activity.

Similar thing happened to me a few weeks ago. Got a voicemail with a recorded message asking me to dial a number to discuss, and as luck would have it, at the same time a message (legit text) from our credit card company telling us someone was trying to change our address and so they have put a hold on our credit card. I knew the text is legit, so I assumed the other phone number provided was legit too. Called them, mind you being VERY cautious still, and a thick Indian accent guy answers the call, and the nature of the call screams I have called someone's home in India. I tell the guy that I have received a message to call this number, but I will not be providing any numbers or info, and that I am calling to ask him what is going on.

He puts me on a phony 'hold'... and after about 15 seconds I ask 'hello, what is going on?' he answers: 'we fixed it for you. Thank you. bye.'

So I hang up, and call my credit card company (number on back of the card.) they confirmed there was an attempt to change the address and that they will be sending me a new card. The attempt may or may not have been related, I can't say for sure.

Then after getting home I do a google search on teh phone number they left me (the scammers) and sure enough listed on many sites as a scam number.

I could see how my wife or someone less careful could easily fall for that. In my case, I have been rude enough to incoming calls from scammers and non-scammers alike that I always assume the other end is trying to scam me.

[faz]

Originally Posted by AK797

Always funny when you get called and asked to verify who you are. You called me, remember, I should be vetting you, Prince of Nigeria.

But I have had a legit scenario that was pretty funny. During a mortgage refinance, a higher up in the chain of bankers had to call me to discuss and approve my specific situation. Well, I get a call from him and he gives his license number etc. and then asks me to confirm my info for him (date of birth, social security etc.) I laughed and I told him shouldn't I be vetting you?? LOL. It was kind of a catch 22 situation, he had to confirm I was the right person before discussing my confidential case with me, and I had to confirm he was the right person before giving him the info. (But I knew I was about to get a call so that wasn't a surprise call.)

[Karle12]

I hope you get your money back and that the scumbag is caught

[mmmmp]

Originally Posted by Reglin

Banks do not send text messages. Always monitor your accounts online every morning. If anything suspicious occurs you can then call your bank.

So true. I'm in Canada, when my bank sees suspicious activity they call or freeze cards with a message to "contact your branch". All disputes require the customer to physically go to the bank in person.

They *never* telephone or text to confirm sensitive information. If it's a 'promotion' of some sort, it's strictly by mail.

Of course personal common sense dictates discretion and common sense. Handing out a PIN or SIN - even a portion of it can lead to, well, comprises of the wotst kind.

Sorry about your situation, you'll be reimbursed.

M

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[Sperry]

Fifteen years ago after a transfer I made, the Bank of America "Security Department" called to confirm I made the transfer and asked for my security info, which I provided. I get the feeling it was a couple teenagers. Nothing ever came of it, but I never again provided anything like that over the phone or by email.

Now my wife, she fell for a major scam almost 20 years ago. Our marriage lasted twelve ...

These days, my ex- does not touch anything financial, everything is locked up tight. I'll update her laptop once a year when I make it out there to clean the litter box and get the oil changed in her car. Anything the banks want comes to me. she gets surprising little phishing. Me, I'm hammered daily in my junk folder.

[SDRider]

Update: Today the bank transferred the funds back into our account. I am so relieved! It was particularly frustrating because this account is one we share with our business partners for one of our investment properties and the funds in that account are there to pay expenses out of. I talked to our business partners and assured them that if we didn't get the funds back that we would deposit that amount out of our own pocket, just to put their minds at ease.

So glad we don't have to do that!

Thanks everyone for the supporting comments! This is the best place on the interwebs!