NYC police are warning seniors about a trio of scammers targeting major banks. Between May and June, these criminals—two men and a woman—stole at least $70,000 from elderly customers of JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citibank, and Capital One.
How the Scam Works
The scammers use a simple but effective tactic: They pretend to be helpful, offering assistance at ATMs or starting friendly conversations as a distraction. While the victim is distracted, they steal their bank cards.
Examples of the Scam
- May 14th: A 90-year-old woman lost $20,000, and an 83-year-old woman lost $3,000, all within an hour.
- June 2nd: A 71-year-old man had $6,000 stolen after a scammer distracted him at a Chase ATM.
- June 19th: An 86-year-old woman lost approximately $24,000.
The Big Picture
Police reported nine similar incidents between May 8th and June 26th. The total losses amount to at least $70,000. Authorities urge seniors to be extra vigilant when using ATMs and to be wary of unsolicited help.
