Stop Summer Scams!
Hello everybody! Special Agent O.T.T.O. here! As we head through the summer, I’ll be bringing you different stories of real-life member experiences, known scams (and how to combat them), as well as ways to protect you and your loved ones. So without further ado!
This month’s story is about our member Hope. She’s been a long time member who always seems to be wearing a smile. Today however, when Hope came into the branch she was not acting like her normal self. As she approaches the teller, she has her phone in her hand, avoiding eye contact and repeatedly staring at her phone. She looks to be in distress and clearly upset, after verifying herself she asks to withdraw $30,000.00 from her account. Staff can tell that something is off and proceed to whisper to Hope “Is there someone on the phone?”; she immediately started nodding her head.
Acting quickly the staff pulled Hope aside to ensure she was safe and had privacy to be able to share what was going on. Immediately staff assisted, placing the phone on silent; “we’re safe to speak now, they can’t hear you” replied the staff member. A visible sigh of relief came over Hope, as she began to relax and gather her thoughts.
Our heroic staff quickly jumped into action. Staff learned that she had been contacted by someone claiming to work for a large company and was calling to verify that she had made a purchase for around 3 thousand dollars. The scammer then took advantage of the member’s vulnerability to act like they were there to assist her, offering to help only if she downloaded a tool to her device. This happened to be a remote access tool that allowed the scammer to take over her device and forcibly start accessing all her personal information. At this point they threatened that she would need to pay them $30,000.00 to get the information back and demanded she immediately head to her Credit Union and pull out the money; at which point they would coordinate a location with her to pick up the funds.
The swift action taken by staff allowed them to catch the scammers in the act! Without delay, staff immediately implemented restrictions as well as other steps to ensure that the Hope’s funds would not be available to the scammers, effectively ending the threat of them stealing the money. Staff then took the time to sit down with Hope and explain what had occurred. Educating her with steps to protect herself currently and in the future.
“The best part of our experience here as staff is seeing a member go from worried and upset to happy and secure” replied staff with a big smile 😊. Hope was grateful for all the work staff did that she returned the next day with tears in her eyes, bringing some sweet treats. She thanked staff again for all their hard work.
Wow! What a great story of Hope and our staff working together to thwart the plans of the scammers. It was because Hope had the intelligence, vulnerability and confidence in OURCU, that we were able to stop the scammers and save our member 30 thousand dollars. SO REMEMBER! WHEN IN DOUBT… REACH OUT!
This is just one of the many real stories that happen to member and staff everyday, so if you are also being targeted by scammers, you’re not the only one. Scammers will try to prey on everyone that they can, but when we work together, we can stop the scammers in their tracks!
Agent O.T.T.O signing off until the next adventure!
