Elderly Athens woman loses $10,000 to phone scam lol

By Joe Johnson

A 77-year-old Athens woman lost $10,000 last week when she fell victim to a telephone scam.

She told police that she received a call from someone purporting to be with Apple Pay informing her that a federal officer would be in touch concerning suspicious activity on her bank account.

When the “officer” called, the woman followed their instructions to send a $10,000 wire transfer from her bank account.

Steps to Take When Receiving a Phone Scam:

• Hang Up Immediately: Do not engage with the caller, even if they claim to be from a legitimate organization, as scams often use spoofed local numbers.

• Do Not Press Buttons: If you receive a recorded message, do not press numbers to "opt-out" or speak to a representative, as this can lead to more calls.

• Block the Number: Use your phone's built-in blocking features or ask your phone provider for call-blocking services.

• Report the Scam: Report the call to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at DoNotCall.gov to help law enforcement track scammers.

• Verify Independently: If you are worried about a claim (e.g., from your bank), hang up and call the company back using an official, verified phone number.

• Do Not Call Back: If you receive a one-ring call from an unknown number, do not call back, as it may be a toll-based scam.

• Review Financials: Regularly check your bank and phone bills for unauthorized charges. 

Common Scam Tactics:

• Impersonation: Pretending to be the IRS, Social Security Administration, or a known company.

• Urgency: Creating a sense of panic to force a quick, emotional decision.

• Request for Payment:Asking for payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.