Latest Scam-at your door

[Lawdog Dago Dom]

 

TODAY’S DEEP DIVE

Knocked, smiled, vanished

Image: ChatGPT

Scott Merovitch did everything right, or so he thought. A longtime Wells Fargo customer, he got a call that seemed totally legit. The person on the line knew his recent transactions. They said his debit card had been compromised and the bank needed to send someone to his house to collect it. 

A woman actually showed up. Professional. Calm. Friendly.

She took Scott’s debit card, cut it in half right in front of his Ring doorbell camera, then left. Within an hour and a half, over $20,000 vanished from Scott’s account.

They hit up local ATMs at grocery stores, withdrawing cash like it was Monopoly money. Gone.

⚠️ Why this scam is different

This isn’t your usual sketchy email or random text with broken grammar. 

These scammers:

• Spoof real Wells Fargo phone numbers.

• Know your account activity.

• Sound exactly like a fraud rep you’d trust with your taxes.

• And yes, they literally walk up to your front door like they’re returning your lost dog.

By the way, this can happen with any bank. It’s not limited to just Wells Fargo.

💔 The cost can be more than money

This scam has claimed more than cash. In Florida, 52-year-old Paul Schendel lost $6,800 to the same scheme. He was told the bank wouldn’t refund him. 

His family says the stress was too much. The very next day, Paul died of a heart attack. So sad.

👉 Here’s how to protect yourself

• Never hand your card to anyone who comes to your door. Ever.

• Hang up if someone calls saying they’re from your bank. Call the number on your card to verify. Don’t be fooled by caller ID, scammers can spoof numbers.

• Urgency is a red flag. The more “immediate,” the more scammy.

• Don’t send money or share account details unless you initiated the transaction.

This scam is slick, believable, and it’s spreading

[Rip Snorter]

If you have been a Wells Fargo customer you have enjoyed some benefits but you also know there is no way on earth they are going to send an employee to your home!  New scams daily!

[Cypress Sun]

I don't have to worry about it. I will never knowingly have a WF account. Long story.

[Chas B. Wolfson, SASS #11104]

4 minutes ago, Cypress Sun said:

I don't have to worry about it. I will never knowingly have a WF account. Long story.

 I am in total agreement sir.

[Rip Snorter]

I always preferred local banks.  Over a period of seven or eight years 3 were bought out and WF Co. bought the last one.  I don't always agree with their positions, but they have done a good job for me in a variety of ways.  I also keep a Credit Union account and a small account at a local bank strictly for online purchases.  Seems to work.

[El Sobrante Kid]

It's not the bank, it's the debit card, and invention of the devil. It is always promoted as "simple", "easy to get", and, "you can't spend more than you have in your account." All true, but the massive downside is that there is (almost) no protection against loss. Once the debit card is used to pull money out of your account, it is probably gone forever and will (likely) NOT be refunded. Read the fine print. At least with a credit card you are only on the hook for, iirc, $50, and even then most banks will cover that cost. Anyone who knowingly uses a debit card, is making a foolish mistake. When people tell me that they have used a debit card for years without issue, I tell them, "congrats, but you are only lucky... not safe."

 

ETA- there are a number of posts following this one that speak of personal experiences getting money refunded after an incident resulting in a loss their debit card. So something must have changed. As they say, "Proceed at Your Own Risk". Personally, if I get one mailed to me from my bank, I cut it up and will never use it.

Edited August 11 by El Sobrante Kid

[Leroy Luck]

29 minutes ago, El Sobrante Kid said:

that there is no protection against loss. Once the debit card is used to pull money out of your account, it is gone forever and will NOT be refunded.

Had debit card info stolen one time and had several hundred dollars spent on items without my approval. My bank refunded me the entirety of what was stolen and then performed an investigation. No clue how it ended up. Since then I don’t use a debit card for everyday purchases. 

[El Sobrante Kid]

16 minutes ago, Leroy Luck said:

Had debit card info stolen one time and had several hundred dollars spent on items without my approval. My bank refunded me the entirety of what was stolen and then performed an investigation. No clue how it ended up. Since then I don’t use a debit card for everyday purchases. 

 

I think that you are very lucky! I don't know why your bank decided to cover your loss, but in general that banks position is that you are SOL.

[Springfield Slim SASS #24733]

Incorrect. I had my Citibank debit card hacked 3 times in 4 years and they covered the loss everytime. I no longer use Debit cards top purchase items.

[Eyesa Horg]

So far I guess we've been lucky! We've had a debit card for quite some time with no issues. We also don't keep a lot of money on it either. It's easy enough to replenish as needed.

[Sedalia Dave]

 

https://www.fox26houston.com/news/2-more-wells-fargo-customers-get-thousands-back-lost-elaborate-scheme

[El Sobrante Kid]

1 hour ago, Eyesa Horg said:

So far I guess we've been lucky! We've had a debit card for quite some time with no issues. We also don't keep a lot of money on it either. It's easy enough to replenish as needed.

 

Not sure what kind card this is. A debit card is linked directly to your bank account. Whatever amount of money is in your bank account is the amount of money you can spend with the debit card. On the other hand, a pre-paid credit card works as you describe.

[Rip Snorter]

A debit card is linked to an account and is good only to the amount of available funds in that account.  A credit card is good up to its approved credit balance, no cash bearing account is involved.  I have different accounts, a debit card on only one, and I do not have a credit card backup on that account.

[La Sombra]

@Lawdog Dago Dom, is Shortcake up to her ole thieving ways again? Neat scam, too.

 

La Sombra

[Eyesa Horg]

36 minutes ago, El Sobrante Kid said:

 

Not sure what kind card this is. A debit card is linked directly to your bank account. Whatever amount of money is in your bank account is the amount of money you can spend with the debit card. On the other hand, a pre-paid credit card works as you describe.

It's a checking account with a debit card. If we do overcharge with the card, which we haven't, it's against our checking account which we keep light funds in. I'm sure Ellie does, but I haven't a clue where the checks even are as we don't use them. Prolly in the safe with other important papers. We have another account for our normal check writing.

[Texas Jack Black]

 Only goes to show how dumb some are.

[Rye Miles #13621]

I never use my debit card except for making ATM deposits. You’re protected better with your Credit Card.