By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
A Salina woman calls police after she was on the verge of a scam.
According to the Salina Police Department on Thursday, July 10th a 73-year old woman reported about an attempted scam.
She stated she was trying to access her bank account via iPad, but was not able to do so. She then called her bank and they told her the issue was probably due to 'pop-up ads' and to download Google Chrome onto her device. The woman then did what the bank told her and received a pop-up claiming to be from Apple that stated 'she had been hacked' and to 'call the attached phone number,' which she did.
Furthermore after the woman called the number, she got in touch with someone telling her that IP address had been 'hacked by people in other countries.' The caller requested she state her customer service number on the back of her bank debit card, and that they would contact them to connect them to her.
Subsequently, the woman then got in contact with a man who claimed 'to be with her bank.' According to police, the man was able to reveal her bank account information and told the woman there were 'several charges on her account' and a 'pre-approved loan up to $10,000.' The man then advised the woman he could 'stop the charges, but not the loan' which was supposedly going to used for the 'subscription of a website.'
The woman then ended the call with the man and she began to receive text messages stating the 'FDIC was trying to contact her, to answer their call and to not avoid the situation.' She then went to her bank and told bank employees what has happening and changed her account number with the bank.
Police stated the woman did not provide the scammers with any money. After further investigation, the phone number used by the scammers revealed they were associated with other similar scam calls throughout the country.
Police disclosed the scam number as (747) 320-9903.
The following is a statement from the Salina Police Department:
The Salina Police Department wants to remind everyone, if you are having issues with accounts when on-line, do not “click” on pop-ups advising they can assist with issues. Please reach out directly to your bank or check your bills and find the legitimate service numbers on how to contact your bank/credit card companies. Also, anytime you asked to take money and deposit it in a bit coin or purchase “gift cards” it is a scam. If you suspect a possible scam, contact your bank or local law enforcement who can provide you information and assistance.