A woman in Ohio lost $6,000 after falling victim to a scam. The scammer, pretending to be from Huntington Bank, convinced her that a fraudulent transaction was about to happen. He then instructed her to withdraw cash from her account and deposit it into his Chase account.
How the Scam Worked
The scammer first told the woman to withdraw cash from her Huntington Bank account. He then gave her a Chase debit card number and told her to add it to her Apple Wallet. Next, he instructed her to go to a Chase ATM and deposit the $6,000 into his account using her Apple Wallet.
The woman, believing she was protecting her money, followed the scammer’s instructions. It wasn’t until later, while talking to the scammer on FaceTime, that she realized she had been tricked.
Chase Refuses to Reimburse
The woman reported the fraud to Chase and filed a police report. However, Chase said they are not responsible for the loss and won’t reimburse her.
Banks Under Investigation
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is currently investigating whether major banks like JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America are doing enough to prevent Zelle scams. The CFPB is looking into whether these banks are adequately vetting their customers and closing down scam accounts.
Important Reminder
This incident serves as a reminder to be extremely cautious when dealing with anyone claiming to be from your bank. Never share your personal information or banking details with someone you don’t know. If you suspect a scam, contact your bank directly to verify the information.
