'I'm left with nothing': Woman loses thousands of dollars after this mistake
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It is important to stay connected in this digital age.
With that, places that offer public Wi-Fi offer the ability to stay connected no matter where we are.
Yet, this convenience often comes with a hidden cost.
For Barbara Turner, that cost was a devastating loss of her life savings due to an online scam.
Barbara's story was a cautionary tale for all of us, especially those who connect to public Wi-Fi to stay connected.
She had been diligently saving for her upcoming knee surgery only to witness a nightmare scenario: her ING Bank account was empty.
Barbara's ordeal began with a transaction under Ace Money Transfer, an international money transfer company, which she did not authorise.
The breach left her feeling violated and scared.
'It's a terrifying feeling. Be careful online and don't shop on public Wi-Fi, it's not safe,' the 54-year-old Victoria local warned.
'I was in shock to see that everything was gone, just like that,' she lamented in a post.
'You hear stories about scams, but when it happens to you or someone you care about, it's a whole different reality.'
'Right now, I'm left with nothing,' she ended.
Despite reaching out to her bank for assistance, Barbara found little solace.
ING could only offer a $150 credit for phone security checks.
With her surgery looming and necessary medical appointments on the horizon, she could face the additional stress of not having money for medical costs.
As of writing, Barbara's friends have set up a GoFundMe page to help cover her immediate expenses.
'If anyone could donate even a little to help me get by, I would be incredibly grateful,' she wrote.
Barbara's plight, however, was not an isolated issue.
In 2024, ScamWatch reported that Victorians over the age of 45 lost more than $24 million to online scams.
This staggering figure highlighted the importance of cyber safety, especially for seniors often targeted by scammers.
Many experts have previously warned about using public Wi-Fi networks.
These networks lack security, which could turn them into a favourable playground for cybercriminals.
Through public Wi-Fi networks, scammers may intercept data and steal sensitive information like credit card numbers, passwords, and even money stored in bank accounts.
So, how can we protect ourselves from a similar fate? Here are some tips to keep in mind:
We urge everyone to take Barbara's story to heart. Have you or a close family member encountered the same problem? Share your stories and scam-proof tips in the comments below.
With that, places that offer public Wi-Fi offer the ability to stay connected no matter where we are.
Yet, this convenience often comes with a hidden cost.
For Barbara Turner, that cost was a devastating loss of her life savings due to an online scam.
Barbara's story was a cautionary tale for all of us, especially those who connect to public Wi-Fi to stay connected.
She had been diligently saving for her upcoming knee surgery only to witness a nightmare scenario: her ING Bank account was empty.
Barbara's ordeal began with a transaction under Ace Money Transfer, an international money transfer company, which she did not authorise.
The breach left her feeling violated and scared.
'It's a terrifying feeling. Be careful online and don't shop on public Wi-Fi, it's not safe,' the 54-year-old Victoria local warned.
'I was in shock to see that everything was gone, just like that,' she lamented in a post.
'You hear stories about scams, but when it happens to you or someone you care about, it's a whole different reality.'
'Right now, I'm left with nothing,' she ended.
Despite reaching out to her bank for assistance, Barbara found little solace.
ING could only offer a $150 credit for phone security checks.
With her surgery looming and necessary medical appointments on the horizon, she could face the additional stress of not having money for medical costs.
As of writing, Barbara's friends have set up a GoFundMe page to help cover her immediate expenses.
'If anyone could donate even a little to help me get by, I would be incredibly grateful,' she wrote.
Barbara's plight, however, was not an isolated issue.
In 2024, ScamWatch reported that Victorians over the age of 45 lost more than $24 million to online scams.
This staggering figure highlighted the importance of cyber safety, especially for seniors often targeted by scammers.
Many experts have previously warned about using public Wi-Fi networks.
These networks lack security, which could turn them into a favourable playground for cybercriminals.
Through public Wi-Fi networks, scammers may intercept data and steal sensitive information like credit card numbers, passwords, and even money stored in bank accounts.
So, how can we protect ourselves from a similar fate? Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Avoid using public Wi-Fi for any sensitive transactions like shopping. If you need to use public Wi-Fi, connect to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to keep your data safe.
- Always verify the security of the website you're using. Look for 'https://' at the beginning of the website or a padlock icon.
- Keep a close eye on your bank accounts and set up alerts for any unusual activity.
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