How did this scam unfold?
It all started when an unsuspecting Rothman opened an email link that gave fraudsters remote access to her computer. They froze her screen and displayed a phone number for her to call. When she called, a conman pretending to work for the government convinced her that her bank accounts were compromised and that she was being watched. She was also told she could go to jail if she told anyone.
The fraudster convinced her to withdraw $20,000 cash from her checking account, put it in a box, and take it outside and put it in the backseat of a car that pulled up.
Next, the fake agent told her to go to a specific store in Jackson Heights and buy gold bars, which she did — three times. Each time, the agent sent a car to pick up the gold bars from her house.
While investing in gold can be legitimate, being asked or pressured to hand it over is not.
Eva was provided with fake receipts from the U.S. Treasury and promised a check that would secure her assets. The check never came. Her nephew Lyle Rothman, rabbi of Community Synagogue in Port Washington, says his aunt doesn’t have a cent left.
“If it happened to my family, it could happen to any family,” Rothman said.
He’s right. According to the FTC, older adults lost nearly $2 billion to fraud in 2023, a conservative figure given that the vast majority of scams are not reported.
To protect yourself and your loved ones from similar scams, keep an eye out for these red flags.
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Learn More3 red flags that indicate you're being scammed
Asking you to call a random number or click an email link
Watch for phishing scams. Never click on links in any email you don't recognize, and double-check the “sent” email address to see whether the email sender is legitimate.
Never call random numbers that pop up on your computer screen or talk to people who “accidentally” text you. If someone claiming to be from a government agency calls, hang up, look up the agency's official number online, and call back.
Asking you for money, especially if they ask for payment in unusual ways
Paying with credit cards can offer consumer protection and payments can be reversed. Be wary of anyone who asks you to pay via unsecured channels, whether that’s with cash apps, gift cards or physically handing over cash or gold. These unsecured payments are hard to trace and make your money near impossible to recover.
They ask you to lie
Several people tried to warn Eva she was being scammed, including her bank and financial adviser, but the scammers often tell you to ignore them or lie. If anyone asks you to lie, it's likely a scam. If you're worried for your safety, contact law enforcement immediately.
Scammers often use fear to manipulate people into making decisions they wouldn't usually make. Always be wary of anyone who uses fear or pressure to convince you to send money. If you believe a scammer is trying to take advantage of you or a loved one, call law enforcement and file a complaint with the FTC.
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