johnjk
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B3200 w/loader, Woods RC5 brush hog, 4' box blade, tooth bar, B1700 MMM,
Wanted to share so others can learn. I got a text alert about a possible fraudulent cc charge on Saturday while at the Steam Thresher show. Crappy cell service so I verified that the charge was on my cc and not mine. Told the wife I’d report it when we got home. Sadly this happens multiple times a year so I am familiar with the reporting and steps to close out the card and dispute charges. About 20 minutes later I get a call from someone claiming to be from my bank but from an area code not normally used by my credit union. Flag 1. Caller spoke without a foreign accent and had all the prompts down. Didn’t ask me to identify or any of the security questions I have set with my CU. Flag 2. I asked them to cancel my card and report it stolen. They started asking more questions and after a couple minutes said they had frozen all accounts. OK. Weird. They then wanted to send me a text for verification with explicit instructions on how to answer them. Flag. My suspicions raised, I told him I didn’t get the text or email. They asked me to hold for 10 minutes. I’m sitting in my car with the AC on so sure, I’ll play. Next question was to verify SSN on account. I asked why. Said it was new process. Flag. I said no, it is always last four. They backpedaled quickly and said oh yeah last four. Gave him random numbers. Back on hold for 10 minutes. Next thing I get is a verification text from Apple with the number to never share. Off hold again and they ask for the last 4 of the ssn says there is a problem. So play dumb which I am good at. Give him the same 4 but mixed up. Claim stressed out. Guy pivots to the apple text and asks me to read it which I did leaving out the number. He asks for the number and I said no. He got upset saying he needed that to help me. I countered with rereading it where it says never share the code. Accuses me of actually doing fraud and threatens calling police on me. Told him. dude chill, here’s the number. 8675309. Back on hold. 10 more minutes. Comes back and says the code is wrong. I asked him why a process that usually takes 5-7 minutes with my bank has taken over 30? He then tells me there is new protocol and he needs to change all my banking account numbers because the hacker is internal to Apple. I think I spit a bit of coffee on the dash at this point. My wife is speechless as she realizes what is happening. I then told the guy that this was taking too long and I would go to the branch. Now he is telling me they cannot help me and I am a willing fraud participant and will be prosecuted. Told him I would deal with the bank directly and hung up. They did not call back but before could call the bank, I had another $9000 in Best Buy online charges pending. Called my bank, reported the fraud, got the card locked and all charges disputed for Saturday. Passed on info from caller as well to their cyber team. Long story but if it doesn’t feel right, hang up and call your bank off the number on the back of your credit card. This guy tried to create fear and desperation that I had to move fast. I did find it interesting that they knew the name of my bank which was the only reason I answered the call. Stay on your toes and stay safe.
