String&stick
WKR
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2018
- Messages
- 1,033
So I work for a community bank. Over the last 5 years we have had 2 customers fall for scams. . . Until recently. We have had 3 customers in the last 6 months fall for scams. They are typically women over 60 that fall for it but anyone over 60 is at a higher risk.
We are not talking about peanuts either folks. These people are being scammed out of their retirement! Hundreds of thousands of dollars. Some are people that I thought we're very intelligent individuals.
Talking points for your parents, grand parents, or older friends.
1. If someone tells you that you owe them money, demand an itemized invoice to be reviewed by yourself and your family. (And have your family review it, or a lawyer, or accountant) also if you owe them, you should remember why or have a good or service from them.
2. Never send money to someone you have not spoke with in person! Literally in person, close enough to touch!
3. Never, ever, under any circumstance send a cashier's check to someone. If you know them a personal check is fine. If it's a payment a personal check is fine. If someone is demanding a cashier's check they had better be a title company helping with closing on a house or an auto dealer etc. Cashier's checks are guaranteed funds and cannot be recovered or canceled! A money order is a better option but still rarely needed.
4. No one needs you to send them money if they are going to pay you back soon! If that was the case they would wait for their money or get a short term loan. If they claim you have one something but need to send them money first, just hang up! If you win something the IRS will find you for the taxes owed, the won't be asking you to pay upfront before recieving a prize.
5. When in doubt ask your family or your bank their opinion. Now if you bank at a huge corporate bank (US bank, chase, etc). They maybe less helpful due to their size, but they have training to spot scams and will help. Local banks where they know you, are better because they can spot abnormal transactions.
I know some of you will think this is dumb, hell I know it is dumb. But we caught a scam and alerted a joint account holder today, their spouse is 100% convinced it is not a scam to the point they almost convinced the non participating spouse that it is not a scam. . . It is blatantly obvious to all outside parties that it is a scam! They have lost half of their retirement to this scam, and no authorities are getting involved.
Please, no matter how smart you think your family members are. Talk to them and explain how easy it is for people to fall into these things. If you have an elderly parent or relative consider putting a second person on the account and requiring 2 signatures for transactions over a certain dollar amount.
Have a great weekend and please share this with family!
We are not talking about peanuts either folks. These people are being scammed out of their retirement! Hundreds of thousands of dollars. Some are people that I thought we're very intelligent individuals.
Talking points for your parents, grand parents, or older friends.
1. If someone tells you that you owe them money, demand an itemized invoice to be reviewed by yourself and your family. (And have your family review it, or a lawyer, or accountant) also if you owe them, you should remember why or have a good or service from them.
2. Never send money to someone you have not spoke with in person! Literally in person, close enough to touch!
3. Never, ever, under any circumstance send a cashier's check to someone. If you know them a personal check is fine. If it's a payment a personal check is fine. If someone is demanding a cashier's check they had better be a title company helping with closing on a house or an auto dealer etc. Cashier's checks are guaranteed funds and cannot be recovered or canceled! A money order is a better option but still rarely needed.
4. No one needs you to send them money if they are going to pay you back soon! If that was the case they would wait for their money or get a short term loan. If they claim you have one something but need to send them money first, just hang up! If you win something the IRS will find you for the taxes owed, the won't be asking you to pay upfront before recieving a prize.
5. When in doubt ask your family or your bank their opinion. Now if you bank at a huge corporate bank (US bank, chase, etc). They maybe less helpful due to their size, but they have training to spot scams and will help. Local banks where they know you, are better because they can spot abnormal transactions.
I know some of you will think this is dumb, hell I know it is dumb. But we caught a scam and alerted a joint account holder today, their spouse is 100% convinced it is not a scam to the point they almost convinced the non participating spouse that it is not a scam. . . It is blatantly obvious to all outside parties that it is a scam! They have lost half of their retirement to this scam, and no authorities are getting involved.
Please, no matter how smart you think your family members are. Talk to them and explain how easy it is for people to fall into these things. If you have an elderly parent or relative consider putting a second person on the account and requiring 2 signatures for transactions over a certain dollar amount.
Have a great weekend and please share this with family!
