PSA, Beware!

 

So finally, 3 hours after the fact my hands have stopped trembling.  Yet my stomach's still all twisty thinking how close I came to being phished.
Maybe my experience can help someone else ...
at least writing about it might calm my nerves.

Normally, I'm uber-cautious about unsolicited communications.  Realizing the increase in cyber theft, I even check our bank accounts every day.  (Obsessive much?)

These people, however, sounded so very legit.  Concerned, even.  Let me tell you about it.

While sitting at the kitchen counter, Tom came in holding his cell:  "You might want to take this; he says he's calling from Chase."   At the time, I didn't think to question why they were calling his number -- but rightly presumed both are listed on our profile.

After identifying himself and badge number, I learned there had been two attempts to access funds from our account.  Did the name xxx mean anything to me?  Had I travelled to Brooklyn, NY in the past 24 hours?  Had I authorized $1,200 at 8:10 this morning ... then $1,500 five minutes later?

The caller was so polite, and realizing my voice was shaking, kept reassuring me, "Take your time."

He provided a Case number, then separate Claim Numbers and said Officer xxx would be calling me to follow up.  Before handing me off to their "investigative division" he cautioned me not to give them anything more than the Claim numbers. 
Three times, what a guy.

Next "Floor Manager" R. informed me they (Chase) had flagged these transactions, but needed my help/electronic handshake to confirm via Zelle.

You've heard the expression, "Ignorance is bliss?"   That's me, totally clueless: "What's Zelle?" 

Only after he'd confirmed I had logged in to my other (primary) bank, he began walking me through the steps to activate and transfer "Money to myself."

Because I've two separate checking accounts in the Primary I asked, "Which one do you want me to select?"   R. replies, "The one with the most money in it."

Um, that set off my spidey senses!

When I asked him to hold on a few minutes he got all snotty and told me I needed to hurry because they had more people waiting in the queue.

Like I should have earlier, I hung up and called Chase directly.   You guessed it -- scam.   She (and Google) confirmed this is an on-going scam.  The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has actually sued JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo for failing to protect consumers from the Zelle payment network.

Tom's so upset by what he (derisively) calls, "Technology" but I've learned a lesson.  Like our late blog friend Rick used to say, "Every day's a school day."