Ana and the Call That Nearly Cost Everything
This is a common Scam or Fraud Related issue we help with in East Haven and surrounding towns.
If you’re experiencing something similar, learn more here:
https://www.s-comp.com/scam-fraud-help/
Ana had lived alone for many years since her husband passed. Though he had once managed their online bills and computer tasks, Ana had slowly learned to do them herself. She checked Facebook in the mornings and paid her bills online, It wasn’t anything fancy, but she got by. One afternoon, her laptop suddenly filled with blue and white text and flashing red letters warning her about a virus. The screen locked up, and loud beeping sounds played. It told her to call a number right away or risk losing everything. Pop-ups showed the Microsoft logo, warning of hacked files and frozen bank accounts.
Scared and unsure, Ana called the number. The voice on the other end was calm and professional. He said her bank account had been targeted by criminals, and her money needed to be moved for her safety. He said the bank might be compromised, and if she mentioned anything, they would stop her. Ana listened. She had always trusted the sound of someone who knew what they were doing. He told her to go to a bank branch across town and withdraw all of her money, $12,000, and to deposit it into a “secure” online Crypto account for protection.
With the man on the phone the entire way, Ana followed the instructions. At the bank, the teller asked if something was wrong. She shook her head and said she needed her money. The teller glanced at her account, then stepped away to speak with the manager. As Ana stood there waiting, her thoughts began to slow down. For the first time since the screen had locked up, she let herself think clearly. Why was she doing this?
When the teller came back, her tone had changed. She mentioned another woman who had come in just that morning with the same story trying to withdraw all her money; $25,000.
Later that day, Ana called Simply Computers. I answered the phone and listened quietly as she told her story. When I asked why she didn’t call me first, she said she didn’t want to bother anyone, and once things got out of hand, she felt too embarrassed. I went over that day, backed up her photos, favorites, and documents, then wiped her laptop and reinstalled a clean copy of Windows. I reconnected her to the internet and made sure her printer worked. I reminded her that calling me isn’t a bother. That’s what neighbors are for.
