Anatomy of an Imposter Scam Part 3

Lee Erickson

 

Part 3 in a 3-part series

[See Anatomy of an Imposter Scam Part 1 and 2 at 50plusmagazine.net]

 

RECAP

Part 1: “Your computer has been breached! Call Applecare for help” appeared on Lee

Erickson’s frozen computer while working one morning. Calling the number displayed set in motion a series of terrible events.

Part 2: Following the “banker’s” instructions, Lee withdrew funds from her accounts so they could be placed in a “secure account” until completion of the investigation.

Part 3 continues with the “banker” helping Lee deposit her funds “for safekeeping.” Then, finally home after a day of nonstop calls and transactions, she gets one more call, ending this horrific day with a final shock.

 

1:47pm

Ending the call with the investigator, I received two simultaneous communications: a call from the banker, and a text containing a QR Code and the verbiage “Prepared on behalf of Lee Enry Erickson by Oregon Community Credit Union.” I knew nothing about cryptocurrency. I later learned my bank would never transfer it — via QR Code or any other method.

 

The banker stayed on the phone while I drove to a “CoinHub” ATM, both to calm me and to make sure the QR Code worked. Once there I had to show my driver’s license. The deposit worked but there was a $1,000 limit.

Expressing dismay at how weird this all was, the banker agreed but assured me it was safe. He directed me to a second crypto ATM, where I made two more deposits totaling $14,100. I’d have to make a final deposit the next morning, before the investigator called.

 

$15,100.00. Imagine depositing that much money into“special” ATM machines! It was like I was in a trance, and I’m still reeling over standing there, inserting hundred-dollar bills.

 

After ending the call with the banker, the “Apple support tech” called saying diagnostics continued and that she would update me the next day.

 

4:00pm

I finally got back home after this relentless day of transactions, and non-stop calls — with tech support, the banker, and the investigator.

 

I called my stepfather, with whom I shared the affected checking account. I explained why I hadn’t called sooner and asked him to call the bank before it closed to ensure the problem had been resolved.

 

Next, I heard again from Oregon Community Credit Union fraud and loss — different banker, different number than before. By now I doubted his authenticity. When I asked for proof, he said to go to the OCCU website, get the 800 number (which he stated), and call back and ask for him. I did, and got him.

 

He told me he had spoken with my stepfather and reviewed our joint account, finding no suspicious transactions on that or any of my accounts. He said what I just went through WAS the scam. As I had withdrawn my own money from my own account, it could not be recovered.

 

I was stunned anew. I had been completely duped.

 

That night, home alone, going over and over what had just happened. . . the “woulda, coulda, shoulda’s” raged. I prayed myself to sleep.

 

Early the next morning my phone rang incessantly — the numbers the scammers had called from before.

 

I blocked them.

 

EPILOGUE

The end of a scam isn’t the end. I have since worked to secure my privacy and identity by doing the following:

 

• I had my laptop diagnosed by the BestBuy Geek Squad. They found and removed “GetScreen.me,” which the scammers had used to access my computer.
• I submitted fraud reports to the Police, FBI, Federal Trade Commission, cryptocurrency companies, and more.
• I created new email, bank, and other accounts, more secure passwords, and replaced my modem, router, and driver’s license (getting a new customer ID number).
• I joined the AARP Fraud Watch Network and have been speaking to educate others.

 

I refuse to be ashamed or embarrassed over what happened. Such scams happen to thousands of people every day; I won’t be silent if my story will help even one.

 

Many people have told me that after hearing my experience they were able to prevent scams upon them. I hope my story helps you realize how sophisticated these scams can be and avoid being victimized.