CLAYTON ā Two scammers tricked a retired Johnston County woman out of $20,000.
On July 3, the 73 year-old victim received an email that appeared to originate from Microsoft. The email claimed the victim had made a payment for $421 to Microsoft for technical support and to call a phone number if she had not.
The victim called the number and spoke with a person who claimed he was Kevin with Microsoft. The scammer told the victim he would refund the money to her account.
The scammer even emailed the victim a refund authorization form to sign and return.
The fraudster then transferred the call to a second person who claimed to be a billing manager. The second scammer convinced the victim they had mistakenly transferred $20,000 to her bank account during the refund process. They requested she obtain $20,000 in cash, then send the money to them through BitCoin.
Not knowing it was a scam, the victim sent the money.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, refund scams are widespread. Scammers often use email addresses similar to Microsoft’s real email accounts, microsoft.com or microsoftsupport.com. The FTC warns to be on the lookout for fake email verification and virus notification alerts from scammers using the Microsoft name.
These scammers who would rather rob an old person than get out and work will one day have true Karma paying them a visit. How do they even sleep at night? And don’t blame the victim–older seniors are living in a different world than what they grew up in.
India…
A lot of scammers are actually held in servitude in compounds. They are most likely being held by gangs.
I’m convinced there’s a large segment of thr JoCo population that should not own a computer.
Unfortunately it seems like every business now believes you own a computer or cell phone and that’s the only way they will do business. Not all seniors have access to computers and cell phones. Most companies websites word things to make you choose the wrong thing. Amazon is notorious for this with trying to get you hooked into a Prime account.
It’s unfortunate that seniors get caught up in this.
AGREED!!
im convinced its you
The scammers, mostly from India, Nigeria and Jamaica, are evidently born without empathy or a conscious. They don’t care who they hurt or financially ruin. And they WILL NOT STOP until EVERYBODY stops falling for their scams. They live and breathe to steal, it is all they do. Wake up people!
I’m convinced there are a lot of dead beat arses out there who need to stop preying on the elderly and get a real form of self support. Don’t blame our Joco seniors. As Jett stated, this is a different world than they once grew up in. However, with that being said @tellthetruth, I often agree with you and respect your commentary but just not 100% this time.
Please inform your older friends about these scams. These scammers seem to hit the elderly.
Yes amen thanks for reminding us of that about older people are living in a different time.
This makes me so sad. These people have worked their entire lives for this money and you have bums out here who would rather steal from the elderly than go to work. I have grandparents not much older than this and I just cannot imagine somebody doing this to them. Breaks my heart.
I know how many scam/questionable emails I get and I can see how confusing this can be, especially for older folks. I am only 56 but I have started calling my financial institution asking before I even respond to these emails. They tell me to never open any links if you do not trust the source. Many times in the IP address, there is at least one weird character. Also, never give personal information or pay in any form, Bitcoin, Cash, Cash App, etc. Also, you can ask for written notice before you will pay, they will hang up pretty quickly. Be careful folks. When in doubt, never pay out! I almost got caught in the Microsoft one several years ago but realized it just before it was too late. Sad we have such low life’s preying upon our citizens, especially the elderly! The Lord is going to make them pay one day… šš