Bank worker saves grandmother from losing $50,000 worth of savings! What happened?
- Replies 3
Scams and fraudulent activities have become more convincing over time.
However, with the help of financial institutions, these scheming individuals and groups would not get the money they want from innocent victims.
It's a story that could have ended in heartbreak as an 84-year-old grandmother from the NSW Hunter Valley was about to lose her life savings.
The unsuspecting grandmother walked into her local NAB branch with the intention of changing her withdrawal limit.
For most, that's a routine bit of banking.
Yet, a sharp-eyed and quick-thinking bank worker prevented the bad ending for the senior lady.
NAB's customer adviser, Tiffany Bailey, sensed that something was not right.
The woman's request, while not unheard of, could be a red flag, especially from someone who doesn't make large transactions.
Ms Bailey noticed several tiny details that set off her alarm.
The grandmother was clutching her phone tightly, and she seemed distracted throughout the transaction.
When Ms Bailey asked about the phone, the senior woman revealed she was on a call with someone coaching her through the process.
Ms Bailey quickly looked the number up online, and it confirmed her suspicions.
The person on the other end of the line was a scammer.
Upon further digging, Ms Bailey discovered that the grandmother had been pressured by the caller for days.
The caller claimed that the senior woman owed them $50,000 in debt.
The scammer also threatened the woman with dire consequences if she did not comply and pay the hefty sum.
The woman wrote about a specific set of instructions directed by the scammer so she knew what to tell bank staff.
When Ms Bailey asked about the notebook, the truth came out from the woman.
Overwhelmed, the grandmother broke down in tears and admitted to what was happening.
NAB staff immediately secured the senior's bank account and ensured that hard-earned savings were safe.
A week after the ordeal, the woman came back and thanked the staff members for their work.
'They are the biggest low lives on the planet,' NAB's relief branch manager Vanessa Kruger summed up her thoughts in a statement.
'They prey on people who are vulnerable, try to trick them—it actually makes my blood boil.'
This near-miss was a textbook example of a remote access scam.
These scams have been on the rise in Australia and have been targeting seniors who may not be as familiar with the latest technology.
Remote access scams start when a scammer contacts their victim, pretending to be from a trusted organisation.
These organisations may be banks, government agencies, or tech companies.
Scammers will then claim that there's a problem with the victim's accounts or devices and prompt victims to download special software.
Alternatively, scammers would ask for access to the victim's computer or phone so they could 'fix' it remotely.
In reality, scammers are trying to access personal information and bank accounts and even take control of a victim's device.
Once they have access, they can move money to mule accounts, steal sensitive information, or even lock individuals out of their accounts.
As seen in the story, remote access scammers also use threats and pressure their victims to do what they command them.
According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), Australians have lost over $3 billion to scams in 2022, with seniors over 65 years old suffering the highest losses.
Banks like NAB have since stepped up to protect their customers.
NAB has trained their staff members to spot suspicious behaviour and intervene when transactions feel off.
Other banks have also introduced dedicated fraud prevention teams and offer resources to help customers recognise and report scams.
How to protect yourself from remote access scams
Have you or a loved one ever been targeted by a scammer in the same way? Did a bank or family member help you spot the warning signs? Please share your stories and telltale signs about scams in the comments section below.
However, with the help of financial institutions, these scheming individuals and groups would not get the money they want from innocent victims.
It's a story that could have ended in heartbreak as an 84-year-old grandmother from the NSW Hunter Valley was about to lose her life savings.
The unsuspecting grandmother walked into her local NAB branch with the intention of changing her withdrawal limit.
For most, that's a routine bit of banking.
Yet, a sharp-eyed and quick-thinking bank worker prevented the bad ending for the senior lady.
The woman was about to do a massive transaction when bank staff intervened. Image Credit: Pexels/SHVETS production
NAB's customer adviser, Tiffany Bailey, sensed that something was not right.
The woman's request, while not unheard of, could be a red flag, especially from someone who doesn't make large transactions.
Ms Bailey noticed several tiny details that set off her alarm.
The grandmother was clutching her phone tightly, and she seemed distracted throughout the transaction.
When Ms Bailey asked about the phone, the senior woman revealed she was on a call with someone coaching her through the process.
Ms Bailey quickly looked the number up online, and it confirmed her suspicions.
The person on the other end of the line was a scammer.
Upon further digging, Ms Bailey discovered that the grandmother had been pressured by the caller for days.
The caller claimed that the senior woman owed them $50,000 in debt.
The scammer also threatened the woman with dire consequences if she did not comply and pay the hefty sum.
The woman wrote about a specific set of instructions directed by the scammer so she knew what to tell bank staff.
When Ms Bailey asked about the notebook, the truth came out from the woman.
Overwhelmed, the grandmother broke down in tears and admitted to what was happening.
NAB staff immediately secured the senior's bank account and ensured that hard-earned savings were safe.
A week after the ordeal, the woman came back and thanked the staff members for their work.
'They are the biggest low lives on the planet,' NAB's relief branch manager Vanessa Kruger summed up her thoughts in a statement.
'They prey on people who are vulnerable, try to trick them—it actually makes my blood boil.'
This near-miss was a textbook example of a remote access scam.
These scams have been on the rise in Australia and have been targeting seniors who may not be as familiar with the latest technology.
Remote access scams start when a scammer contacts their victim, pretending to be from a trusted organisation.
These organisations may be banks, government agencies, or tech companies.
Scammers will then claim that there's a problem with the victim's accounts or devices and prompt victims to download special software.
Alternatively, scammers would ask for access to the victim's computer or phone so they could 'fix' it remotely.
In reality, scammers are trying to access personal information and bank accounts and even take control of a victim's device.
Once they have access, they can move money to mule accounts, steal sensitive information, or even lock individuals out of their accounts.
As seen in the story, remote access scammers also use threats and pressure their victims to do what they command them.
According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), Australians have lost over $3 billion to scams in 2022, with seniors over 65 years old suffering the highest losses.
Banks like NAB have since stepped up to protect their customers.
NAB has trained their staff members to spot suspicious behaviour and intervene when transactions feel off.
Other banks have also introduced dedicated fraud prevention teams and offer resources to help customers recognise and report scams.
How to protect yourself from remote access scams
- Never give remote access to your device unless you are sure you are speaking to a legitimate representative.
- Be wary of urgent requests for money or changes to your banking details, especially if you're being pressured or threatened.
- Don't be afraid to ask for help. If something feels off, talk to a trusted friend, family member, or your bank.
- Keep your personal information private. Don't share passwords, PINs, or account details over the phone or online unless you're sure who you're dealing with.
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