A Texas woman lost $17,000 to a phone scam in which fraudsters posed as representatives from Wells Fargo.
Texas Woman Loses $17,000 in a Phone Scam
According to Click2Houston, Missy Edwards, a Pearland resident, received a call on May 28 from a number displaying "Wells Fargo" on the caller ID. The number was spoofed to appear legitimate.
During the call, the scammer, posing as a bank employee, convinced Edwards that a fraudulent wire transfer had occurred on her account. Edwards was then guided through the supposed steps to cancel the transfer, but investigators said the instructions were for sending the money to the scammer.
Realizing something was wrong, Edwards told the scammer she was heading to a Wells Fargo branch. Despite her suspicions, her account was already compromised, leading to a theft of $17,633.
Reflecting on the incident, Edwards expressed her frustration and the financial impact on her family. She said the stolen savings were for essential home repairs and family activities.
Response of Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo acknowledged the situation, saying that scams are a widespread issue and emphasizing their ongoing efforts to enhance security and educate customers.
Pearland Police advised that while banks typically reimburse stolen funds, this case involved a voluntary transfer under false claims, making a refund uncertain. Authorities urged caution and asked individuals to verify suspicious calls by contacting their respective banks using the official contact information.
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