There are scams every day, and even though the details may differ, most scammers follow the same signs. A scam that was just pulled on a retired couple in Scottsdale, Arizona, had five warning signs. Find out which signs are most likely to trick you.
There was a real possibility of the retirees losing $3,000 as reported by KPNX-TV in Phoenix. Due to the alertness of a CVS employee, they did not.
Confirmation Of Large Order Requested
Their ordeal began when they received a call from someone claiming to be a Walmart representative. The caller requested confirmation of an order for $3,000 from them.
Since the couple had not ordered anything that expensive from Walmart, they were naturally shocked. They were now fully focused on the scammer.
In any case, one must ask – why would someone at Walmart question a purchase simply based on its amount? This telltale sign has also been found in other scams, such as robocalls purporting to be from Amazon and questioning a large order. An initial indication of a scam is the appearance of this message.
Bringing Two Unrelated Entities Together
The second sign was what happened to the Scottsdale couple next. According to Walmart employees, they could contact their bank’s fraud department.
It is highly unusual for this to occur. Legitimate employees might encourage potential victims to contact them directly rather than intervene personally.
There was a further cause for suspicion in this particular case when the bank fraud department failed to answer the phone, but rather someone claiming to be a Scottsdale police officer answered the phone.
A Crime Is Being Investigated And You Are Asked To Help
To establish credibility, the fake police officer provided a fictitious name and badge number. In response, he informed the frightened couple that their bank had been compromised by a criminal who had sold their information to a scammer.
It was then that the fake officer told the couple that he needed their help in catching the crook to catch him. However, police departments do not enlist the help of civilians to combat crime. There is a third red flag to be raised.
Scammer Always Remains On The Line
According to the scammer, the Scottsdale couple should withdraw $3,000 before their accounts were frozen at their bank. Even while driving to the bank, the scammer stayed on the line.
The practice is common, especially when an elaborate scam is being conducted. The scammer can’t break contact with the target. There was a possibility that he might not only lose them but also give them a chance to think more rationally if they called a friend or family member.
Gift Cards Must Be Purchased
The Scottsdale couple was instructed to purchase $3,000 in gift cards with the $3,000 in cash. In response, the fake police officer told them they would likely be robbed if they questioned it.
The couple, now completely frightened, proceeded to a CVS and began collecting gift cards. An alert employee happened to walk by and hear the instructions being given by the scammer over the speaker, and she immediately realized what was happening as she heard them.
Francie Hidalgos, the owner of the station, told the station that the lady grabbed a phone out of her hand and said “You are a scammer!”.
A CVS employee broke the spell over the couple, according to the couple. After the employee hung up on the scammer, the couple realized that the entire thing was nothing more than a scam.
The sooner people come to realize what the signs are, the sooner they will come to their senses.
