Bank fraud
Watch out for scammers impersonating banks and companies you trust
Scammers pretend to be from a company you know and trust, even having the company’s number appear on your caller ID. They contact you about a ‘problem’, such as fraud on your account that must be resolved immediately in order to protect you. They often trick you into making transfers or sending money as they instruct you on how to “fix” the problem.
I received a call from a woman who said she was a Chase representative. She said scammers had targeted my account and that I needed to send the money to a different account number immediately using Zelle® or wire transfer so that the scammer couldn’t take what was left. She was very professional and seemed to know everything about the bank. I asked her for her phone number, and it matched the one on the back of my debit card. I had no doubt I was talking to a Chase employee. So, I made the transfer to the account number she gave me, and she immediately hung up. I was horrified. My balance was zero.
I’m really tech savvy so I was one of those people who thought this would never happen to me. But she was so convincing and so nice. I really believed she was trying to help me keep my savings from being stolen.
Help protect yourself
Always be suspicious of legitimate looking or sounding calls, texts or emails from companies saying there’s a problem with your account or anyone asking for personal information to confirm who you are. Hang up and don’t click links in texts or emails or call any phone numbers you are given. Instead, find the company’s contact information on their website and call the number listed there to ask if there’s a problem with your account. We will never ask you to send money to yourself or anyone else to resolve a fraud issue. To reach Chase, call the number on the back of your card or on the account statement.
