Scam alert, PSA: Through a series of complicated texts and an aggressive phone call, I was persuaded that someone had tried to transfer $3,000 from my checking account using Zelle. I was then instructed to set myself up as a Zelle recipient and transfer an equal amount to myself using my personal email. The scammer had somehow set up his own Zelle account using that email address and walked off with the money. It was more complicated than that as well. I actually argued with him the whole way, but in the end, thought I was safe. There were so many red flags and ways to verify that this was fraud that in hindsight the scam was pretty obvious. Actually, I am almost certain that if I hadn't been so exhausted I would never have fallen for it. Be aware.
13 comments:
Oh no, Wanders! I am sad to hear about your being scammed but am glad nothing worse happened to you, and, no, I don't think having to eat Lean Cuisine out of the microwave in your hotel room is worse than being robbed.
This may not be the time to bring it up, but I can't help but notice that Zelle rhymes with Stell.
Anyway, we love you, Wanders. Get some rest!
Wow, Wanders, what a cautionary tale. Thank you for sharing the warning with us. It took courage to be up front about it.
And one can only hope Wilbur will fall overboard. How prevalent are sharks in the waters off Southern California?
Holy moly Wanders, what a nightmare. I’ve always assumed Zelle is secure, so this is disquieting, to put it mildly. I hope your bank can restore everything.
On to today’s Adventures at Sea… Panel 1: Would Mary list alcoholism among Wilbur’s endearing quirks? He’s such a diamond in the rough, after all. Panel 2: This is something we won’t hear Mary say about Jeff.
Fauxprof is right, Wanders, it took some courage and someone who is secure in his own skin to share that tale. As my Dad used to say, "Too late we get smart."
Meanwhile, as Ian Cameron, PhD, pointed out yesterday, Wilbur is in full fluster mode. I want to sincerely thank Karen Moy for giving us what we've so badly wanted. Frankly, it wasn't worth all the nausea-inducing set-up, but it's something. And I am grateful.
-- Scottie McW.
Wanders! So sorry to hear it. It's hard out there. Scammers just have to fool you once, at a time of personal desperation or exhaustion, to make their work pay off. Anyway, hope you sleep better tonight, although I'm sure you'll be tossing and turning over this new development in the Wilbur-Estelle saga...
How did this aggressively stupid idiot get a job as an advice columnist?
That stinks, Wanders. I only wish your jerk scammer guy had started out by telling you his name was Arthur. You would have seen through his act in a heartbeat.
I can see there's only one way for KM to wrap up this Estelle / Wilbur mess. In his drunken state, Wilbur will fall overboard, but will (unfortunately) be rescued. His close call will make Estelle realize how much she really does love him, and they'll end up getting married on the ship. Gag
HelenClark
So sorry Wanders, what a nightmare! If Wilbur falls overboard, here's hoping he isn't rescued. If he's rescued, Estelle will most likely realize that she does love him and will marry him on the ship. Smug pats on the back and muffins will be served up by Mary. Yuck!!
Let's hope the cabin Estelle and Wilbur have been sharing is one of those econo cabins on a cruise that features twin or bunk beds. Otherwise, yuck.
Also, M. Wanders, I am so sorry to hear you experienced such a miserable thing. If you're up to it, I'm hoping you will consider reporting the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/. They may not be able to recover funds, but a report helps to keep track of these lower-than-low scammers who prey on anyone they can and who constantly refine their miserable schemes. You may not feel it, but just your disclosure of what happened to you is a service to everyone in this community. All the best.
Wanders, so sorry to hear about your situation. Those scammers know what they're doing, they have stolen from many intelligent people. Hope you get all funds returned. I'm just impressed that you have $3,000 in your checking account.
As for MW, I think Wilbur has proven to be the most unlikable character in the history of comic strips. My prediction? He and Estelle will be married on Valentine's Day. He'll drop the pets off at the pound on the way to the wedding, so their Honeymoon cruise won't be interrupted.
I almost got caught by a scammer last month, and it would have been for a lot more than $3000. In the end, I couldn't bring myself to lie to my banker as the scammer was telling me to do, and the banker rescued me. There were at least three people involved: the initial phone call claiming to be from Amazon, the guy who kept me on the line for well over an hour as I argued that it all seemed crooked, and someone pretending to be from Amazon customer service who persuaded me it was legit. No one got any money from me in the end, but I still can't access my Amazon account. If you get a call from Amazon claiming someone has ordered some $300 gift cards on your account, hang up on him.
This is why Wilbur must suffer. A lot of us are exhausted and overwhelmed these days, we need Wilbur to be having an even worse time of it than we are.
That is awful :( I'm sorry you had to go through that.
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