My Dad’s Experience with a Credit Card Scam
So, my dad sent a hard drive to a company that claimed to specialize in retrieving information from hard drives after his hard drive crashed. He sent the hard drive to this company, and they said they could get the files stored on the hard drive if he sent them access to his computer (red flag number one). After he did, and after they opened up the files, my dad began to receive an onslaught of emails, causing his phone to ding constantly. He then got a phone call from someone claiming to be from the credit union that he used. They were even using the name and the exact same number as the credit union. The funny thing is, they even had him on hold, so these people were really taking their time here. They also somehow knew my dad’s personal information. They even got his PIN, so they were able to transfer money out of his bank account. He saw that someone kept trying to log in to his account, and he kept stopping whoever these people were from doing that. Finally, my dad received a call from the real credit union that he used (not the scammers). He had to have his entire computer completely cleaned out, as well as the hard drive. Later, he got a new computer and a new checking account. Anyway, these scammers were pretending to be my dad’s credit union so they could access his personal information and his checking account. I believe that the “we need you to give us access to your computer” might have been the clearest giveaway. I think the lesson we could all learn from this is to be extremely aware of who you are giving your information to, especially when the Internet can allow people to do stuff like this.
8 Comments
Alexis "Auntie" Rachel
Oh no! That sounds so harrowing!
If it makes your dad feel any better, I know a few tech experts who have been scammed online. They are menacingly crafty!
What a pain, but I’m glad it got straightened out.
xo
Auntie
asmith
Yeah, thanks. Scammers are definitely determined to get other’s personal information. What did we ever do to them?
Ainslie "Mama" Smith
I remember that. What a pain! Glad it all got worked out. You have to be so careful. People are so sneaky.
asmith
Yes, they are very sneaky. Oftentimes in the worst way, too.
Rey
these scams are getting more and more complex. kinda concerning tbh
asmith
It is quite concerning. I get weird texts all the time, that are like “let me have access to your bank account!” Seriously, some aren’t even trying to be sneaky anymore.
Rebecka Shiles
I had lifetime status at Chik-Fil-A (don’t judge) and someone hacked into my CFA account!!!!! They used all of my accumulated points to order food and have it delivered to an address in Texas! Can’t stand hackers!!!!
asmith
Wow! That’s crazy! Hackers really are something. From personal information to steal money from bank accounts, to stealing people’s Chick-fil-A points. We do really need to be careful.