Wells Fargo Scam Hitting Tampa And Draining Accounts
A new scam targeting Wells Fargo customers in Tampa is making the rounds, draining victims’ bank accounts through fake phone calls. One woman got scammed and her story is going viral to help others not go through the same thing. Scammers pretend to be Wells Fargo representatives, using fake numbers to make it seem that it’s actually from the bank. When you pick up the call, they inform the victim of “suspicious activity” on their account and ask for personal information that you need to verify. They ask for your Social Security number, account numbers, and banking login credentials.
Here’s The Well Fargo Scam:
Charlotte Stenz went through this exact situation and unfortunately for her she was taken advantage of during the scam call. In her recent TikTok video she explains, “I got a call from a Wells Fargo number saying that I had fraudulent activity on my account and that a random person was being sent money from Zelle. They told me to go onto my account and that I needed to secure my Zelle on my end by sending money that would go back to my account right after.”
Once the scammers get inside your account they quickly drain funds by transferring money to external accounts or making purchases. Sometimes they also use Zelle, which is a popular digital payment service on Wells Fargo’s app for theft. Victims say that scammers use official-sounding language, that makes them seem like real Wells Fargo’s customer service. The person on the phone uses personalized information that makes the call seem legitimate. Wells Fargo has issued alerts about this scam, advising customers to be cautious of unsolicited calls. The bank emphasizes that it will never ask for full account credentials or verification codes over the phone.
Watch How It Happened To Charlotte Stenz:
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Look out for the 'delayed-action sweepstakes scam'
The AARP states also warns of a new sweepstakes scam where “instead of trying to get you to pay taxes or other fees in advance to collect the nonexistent prize, the scammers will ask for personal information so that they can validate you and set up the payout.” Just say no.
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Watch out for AI-powered scams
These days, AI scams are big. Experian.com says today, scammers use technology to “write more convincing and natural-sounding phishing emails and text messages.” They can also “Impersonate the victim’s friend or relative and ask for money as part of a grandparent scam.” It’s scary stuff. Beware of anything that sounds too crazy, as these can often seem far-fetched, but AI makes them look real.
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Look out for the Paris Olympics scam
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The best way to avoid scams
Whether the scam is new or old, the best way to avoid it is to stop and think about what’s happening. These scam artists are super good at what they do, but if you just stop for a moment and really think out any actions, you can avoid making a rash decision that could cost you.
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