Nearly $22K Lost In Scam; Second Attempt Stopped
SMITHFIELD, N.C. — A quick-thinking family member may have saved an elderly woman from losing tens of thousands of dollars in what Smithfield Police say is a growing scam targeting seniors.
The two incidents reported days apart to police followed nearly identical patterns, with callers posing as representatives from Wells Fargo.
In the first case, a 72-year-old Smithfield resident received a call March 26 claiming their bank account had been hacked. The caller instructed the victim to withdraw funds and transfer them to a “secure” account.
By the time the incident was reported March 30, the victim had already lost $21,870, and the money could not be recovered.
Just days later, an 83-year-old Smithfield woman received a similar call and began withdrawing $35,000. Before the transaction could be completed, a family member realized what was happening and stepped in.
Police say the cases may be connected and are urging families to talk with older relatives about scam tactics.
Officials recommend:
- Never trust unsolicited calls requesting money transfers
- Verify claims by calling your bank directly
- Slow down — scammers rely on panic and urgency
- Involve a trusted relative or friend before sending large amounts of money
Anyone targeted by a scam should report it immediately to law enforcement.
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Remind your loved to simply Hang Up on the caller. And remind them that no one can legally make these types of calls. If necessary, remind your loved ones often.
Apparently folks in JoCo have more money than sense.
They prey on the elderly, their fears and insecurities about being on fixed incomes/running out of money. Medications, health issues, people handling their own affairs in an effort to maintain independent are all factors. If you lucky you will get there one day. At some point there may well be a time when you are not firing on all four cylinders… I hope someone is there to guide you instead of just throwing insults back at you. Maybe be a bit kinder.
Go away! Nobody needs or wants your opinion!
I simply don’t understand people!
If you took out the time to go down to the bank to withdraw money. Take the extra minute and asked someone at the bank if your account has been hacked. I don’t know any bank that will tell you to take money out and put in another account in another bank. And what’s up with the banks. You don’t have to be nosy, but you could make sure and elderly person isn’t being scammed when you see them taking out a large amount of money. A little customer service goes a long way.
I don’t do any bank transactions over the phone. Do them all in person.
Do it online
I’d hate for my grandkids to find out I’d did something like that ! I’d be dodging butterfly nets and nurses in white suits chasing me forever ! Pretty sure that would end my banking privileges , credit cards too ! They would know the cheese slid off my cracker. Can’t imagine what they’d say to the teller, but it wouldn’t be good !
Sad, there’s a place in h*ll for these people that steal from elderly people or churches.
Scammers are really good at what they do
my 84 yo mother called me saying I needed to help because my daughter was in jail and there were two people on the phone making it seem like it was real it was very scary. We didn’t lose any money and we didn’t give them any money. Be very careful. Don’t trust people if they just call you out the blue. thankfully my mom called me on her cell phone. She was talking to the people on her house phone. I was listening to the call.
These criminals are pure evil. They were fast they try to isolate their victim, and they are good
we had them actually give a phone number they had two people on separate phones, a lawyer and a lady was pretending to be my daughter. I turned it all over to the police. Don’t judge people when they’re the victim.