Marie Marshall is a woman who prides herself on her selfless, hardworking nature. For 66 years, she’s put the needs of others ahead of her own and has saved diligently for her retirement. Sadly, her dream of a peaceful retirement is now slipping away from her after she fell victim to a cruel phone scam.

The scam began when Marie received a call from a man claiming to be from the Commonwealth Bank’s (CBA) fraud department.

'He had an Indian accent, but spoke clearly in English and appeared highly educated and very patient,' she said. 'He was able to quote my account numbers and balances.'

Marie Marshall lost $21,000 of her savings due to a phone call scam. Credit: Jae Park/Unsplash

The scammer told Marie that her account had been compromised by suspicious transactions.

‘In order to secure my accounts and funds, he said I’d need to open a new CBA account and transfer all my money there,’ Marie recalled.

To make the situation appear more legitimate, the scammer told Marie she would need to confirm her ID using an app. Ironically, he warned that this was more secure than providing details over the phone, which is 'what scammers do'.

It was after Marie downloaded this app (actually a type of virus known as a ‘trojan horse’) that the scammer had access to her phone, using it to completely drain her savings–a total of $21,000.

While some were able to be recovered after it was put into a Westpac account, the majority of her savings are still missing. Marie was left with a mere $4 in her purse.

The scammer posed as an employee of Commonwealth Bank. Credit: myphotobank.com.au/Shutterstock

‘I had no idea I’d been scammed until two days later,’ she explained.

The realisation came when she read a post on social media that appeared to be about her exact situation. Unable to log in to her bank account, Marie drove to a nearby ATM and discovered her pin did not work.

‘I was heartbroken and highly distraught,’ Marie recounted.

Marie and her daughter went to her nearest Commonwealth branch to file a complaint and start an investigation. However, after the investigation, the bank informed Marie that her funds were not recoverable.

While CBA has offered Marie $4,490.15 as compensation, they have allegedly stated that she has to pay the money the scammer spent, which totals $2,535.

‘I don’t feel that CBA’s response has been acceptable,’ she mentioned.

Marie narrates how this scam has changed her life: ‘I plan to retire on the pension and a small amount of superannuation. I don’t own a home. The savings the scammer stole would have been used to buy a car, as well as paying off some bills.’

Since then, Marie has received many phone calls from unknown numbers, and her social media page has been hacked, which led to the loss of her photos and contacts.

Her family has since opened a GoFundMe page to help her through this difficult time. As of writing, donations have reached more than $10,000.

Marie’s family opened a GoFundMe page to help her through this difficult time. Credit: GoFundMe

She also shared the mental toll this ordeal has caused her: ‘Since the scam, I’ve gone through such a hard time. I was so embarrassed, and I felt so stupid that I fell for the scam. I’d always been so careful with money,’ Marie said.

‘I was quite teary and quiet since it occurred, and I fell into a state of mild depression, which my family monitored closely,’ she added.

Members, Marie’s story is a heartbreaking reminder to stay alert to phone scams and be informed of other techniques scammers use nowadays.

In light of this, we’ve compiled a list of tips to protect yourself:

• Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers.
• Consider an app that identifies which numbers are call centres and which are scammers.
• Hang up on anyone who calls asking for your personal information, including bank details.
• Be wary of anyone who pushes you to make decisions quickly or ask you to keep it a secret.
• Unless your bank has contacted you first, don’t transfer any money if someone requests it over the phone.

If you ever find yourself the victim of a scam, it’s important to contact your local police and your bank immediately. It’s also a good idea to raise the issue online or with organisations like your telco provider or bank, as general awareness helps expose scammers and keeps the rest of the community safe.

If you come across anything suspicious, don't be shy to ask us here at the SDC about it. You can post at our Scam Watch forum so other members can stay informed.

You may also contact Services Australia's Scams and Identity Theft Helpdesk on 1800 941 126 or send a report to Australian Competition and Consumer Commission here.

If the worst case happens, seek advice from the Australian Financial Complaints Authority if you’re unhappy with how your bank has responded to your situation.

Key Takeaways

• A woman named Marie Marshall fell victim to a phone scam, losing her life savings amounting to $21,000.
  
• The scammer posed as a representative from the Commonwealth Bank fraud department, led her to download an app, and gained access to her account information.
  
• After learning about the scam, Marie was left distraught and heartbroken. She has been receiving ongoing calls from unknown numbers and her Facebook account has been hacked.
  
• The Commonwealth Bank, after completing their investigation, informed Marie that her funds were not recoverable and she must pay back all the money the scammer had spent along with the fees on her credit card. The bank has offered compensation of $4,490.15 while stating that $2,535.00 had to be paid back.
  

Members, do you have any tips or stories about phone scams? Share them in the comments below!

 

[Pierre-Poppi]

Marie Marshall is a woman who prides herself on her selfless, hardworking nature. For 66 years, she’s put the needs of others ahead of her own and has saved diligently for her retirement. Sadly, her dream of a peaceful retirement is now slipping away from her after she fell victim to a cruel phone scam.

The scam began when Marie received a call from a man claiming to be from the Commonwealth Bank’s (CBA) fraud department.

'He had an Indian accent, but spoke clearly in English and appeared highly educated and very patient,' she said. 'He was able to quote my account numbers and balances.'

View attachment 27932

Marie Marshall lost $21,000 of her savings due to a phone call scam. Credit: Jae Park/Unsplash

The scammer told Marie that her account had been compromised by suspicious transactions.

‘In order to secure my accounts and funds, he said I’d need to open a new CBA account and transfer all my money there,’ Marie recalled.

To make the situation appear more legitimate, the scammer told Marie she would need to confirm her ID using an app. Ironically, he warned that this was more secure than providing details over the phone, which is 'what scammers do'.

It was after Marie downloaded this app (actually a type of virus known as a ‘trojan horse’) that the scammer had access to her phone, using it to completely drain her savings–a total of $21,000.

While some were able to be recovered after it was put into a Westpac account, the majority of her savings are still missing. Marie was left with a mere $4 in her purse.

View attachment 27931

The scammer posed as an employee of Commonwealth Bank. Credit: myphotobank.com.au/Shutterstock

‘I had no idea I’d been scammed until two days later,’ she explained.

The realisation came when she read a post on social media that appeared to be about her exact situation. Unable to log in to her bank account, Marie drove to a nearby ATM and discovered her pin did not work.

‘I was heartbroken and highly distraught,’ Marie recounted.

Marie and her daughter went to her nearest Commonwealth branch to file a complaint and start an investigation. However, after the investigation, the bank informed Marie that her funds were not recoverable.

While CBA has offered Marie $4,490.15 as compensation, they have allegedly stated that she has to pay the money the scammer spent, which totals $2,535.

‘I don’t feel that CBA’s response has been acceptable,’ she mentioned.

Marie narrates how this scam has changed her life: ‘I plan to retire on the pension and a small amount of superannuation. I don’t own a home. The savings the scammer stole would have been used to buy a car, as well as paying off some bills.’

Since then, Marie has received many phone calls from unknown numbers, and her social media page has been hacked, which led to the loss of her photos and contacts.

Her family has since opened a GoFundMe page to help her through this difficult time. As of writing, donations have reached more than $10,000.

View attachment 27933

Marie’s family opened a GoFundMe page to help her through this difficult time. Credit: GoFundMe

She also shared the mental toll this ordeal has caused her: ‘Since the scam, I’ve gone through such a hard time. I was so embarrassed, and I felt so stupid that I fell for the scam. I’d always been so careful with money,’ Marie said.

‘I was quite teary and quiet since it occurred, and I fell into a state of mild depression, which my family monitored closely,’ she added.

Members, Marie’s story is a heartbreaking reminder to stay alert to phone scams and be informed of other techniques scammers use nowadays.

In light of this, we’ve compiled a list of tips to protect yourself:

• Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers.
• Consider an app that identifies which numbers are call centres and which are scammers.
• Hang up on anyone who calls asking for your personal information, including bank details.
• Be wary of anyone who pushes you to make decisions quickly or ask you to keep it a secret.
• Unless your bank has contacted you first, don’t transfer any money if someone requests it over the phone.

If you ever find yourself the victim of a scam, it’s important to contact your local police and your bank immediately. It’s also a good idea to raise the issue online or with organisations like your telco provider or bank, as general awareness helps expose scammers and keeps the rest of the community safe.

If you come across anything suspicious, don't be shy to ask us here at the SDC about it. You can post at our Scam Watch forum so other members can stay informed.

You may also contact Services Australia's Scams and Identity Theft Helpdesk on 1800 941 126 or send a report to Australian Competition and Consumer Commission here.

If the worst case happens, seek advice from the Australian Financial Complaints Authority if you’re unhappy with how your bank has responded to your situation.

Key Takeaways

• A woman named Marie Marshall fell victim to a phone scam, losing her life savings amounting to $21,000.
• The scammer posed as a representative from the Commonwealth Bank fraud department, led her to download an app, and gained access to her account information.
• After learning about the scam, Marie was left distraught and heartbroken. She has been receiving ongoing calls from unknown numbers and her Facebook account has been hacked.
• The Commonwealth Bank, after completing their investigation, informed Marie that her funds were not recoverable and she must pay back all the money the scammer had spent along with the fees on her credit card. The bank has offered compensation of $4,490.15 while stating that $2,535.00 had to be paid back.

Members, do you have any tips or stories about phone scams? Share them in the comments below!

I have had numerous sms and e-mails from these Commbank scammers. The latest asks me to update my personal details. They take you through the whole security id and when I try to open the link my security system won't allow any further action. I've just had another call from these thieves using this number, if admin allows 0419 565 983. This number is one of the 4 mobile numbers they use. I do answer and tell the person to stop calling me and to take their scam somewhere else. These same thieves stole $7,785 from me while I had Influenza 6 months ago.

 

[Cheezil]

Not really. It also should be on the bank to notice a transaction that is out of the ordinary and check with the account holder somehow. My old credit union used to do this all the time, but the bigger banks obviously don't care so much about their customers.

I thought their insurance used to cover such things (but perhaps this is only credit cards which come with insurance?)

 

[Barbara V]

Marie Marshall is a woman who prides herself on her selfless, hardworking nature. For 66 years, she’s put the needs of others ahead of her own and has saved diligently for her retirement. Sadly, her dream of a peaceful retirement is now slipping away from her after she fell victim to a cruel phone scam.

The scam began when Marie received a call from a man claiming to be from the Commonwealth Bank’s (CBA) fraud department.

'He had an Indian accent, but spoke clearly in English and appeared highly educated and very patient,' she said. 'He was able to quote my account numbers and balances.'

View attachment 27932

Marie Marshall lost $21,000 of her savings due to a phone call scam. Credit: Jae Park/Unsplash

The scammer told Marie that her account had been compromised by suspicious transactions.

‘In order to secure my accounts and funds, he said I’d need to open a new CBA account and transfer all my money there,’ Marie recalled.

To make the situation appear more legitimate, the scammer told Marie she would need to confirm her ID using an app. Ironically, he warned that this was more secure than providing details over the phone, which is 'what scammers do'.

It was after Marie downloaded this app (actually a type of virus known as a ‘trojan horse’) that the scammer had access to her phone, using it to completely drain her savings–a total of $21,000.

While some were able to be recovered after it was put into a Westpac account, the majority of her savings are still missing. Marie was left with a mere $4 in her purse.

View attachment 27931

The scammer posed as an employee of Commonwealth Bank. Credit: myphotobank.com.au/Shutterstock

‘I had no idea I’d been scammed until two days later,’ she explained.

The realisation came when she read a post on social media that appeared to be about her exact situation. Unable to log in to her bank account, Marie drove to a nearby ATM and discovered her pin did not work.

‘I was heartbroken and highly distraught,’ Marie recounted.

Marie and her daughter went to her nearest Commonwealth branch to file a complaint and start an investigation. However, after the investigation, the bank informed Marie that her funds were not recoverable.

While CBA has offered Marie $4,490.15 as compensation, they have allegedly stated that she has to pay the money the scammer spent, which totals $2,535.

‘I don’t feel that CBA’s response has been acceptable,’ she mentioned.

Marie narrates how this scam has changed her life: ‘I plan to retire on the pension and a small amount of superannuation. I don’t own a home. The savings the scammer stole would have been used to buy a car, as well as paying off some bills.’

Since then, Marie has received many phone calls from unknown numbers, and her social media page has been hacked, which led to the loss of her photos and contacts.

Her family has since opened a GoFundMe page to help her through this difficult time. As of writing, donations have reached more than $10,000.

View attachment 27933

Marie’s family opened a GoFundMe page to help her through this difficult time. Credit: GoFundMe

She also shared the mental toll this ordeal has caused her: ‘Since the scam, I’ve gone through such a hard time. I was so embarrassed, and I felt so stupid that I fell for the scam. I’d always been so careful with money,’ Marie said.

‘I was quite teary and quiet since it occurred, and I fell into a state of mild depression, which my family monitored closely,’ she added.

Members, Marie’s story is a heartbreaking reminder to stay alert to phone scams and be informed of other techniques scammers use nowadays.

In light of this, we’ve compiled a list of tips to protect yourself:

• Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers.
• Consider an app that identifies which numbers are call centres and which are scammers.
• Hang up on anyone who calls asking for your personal information, including bank details.
• Be wary of anyone who pushes you to make decisions quickly or ask you to keep it a secret.
• Unless your bank has contacted you first, don’t transfer any money if someone requests it over the phone.

If you ever find yourself the victim of a scam, it’s important to contact your local police and your bank immediately. It’s also a good idea to raise the issue online or with organisations like your telco provider or bank, as general awareness helps expose scammers and keeps the rest of the community safe.

If you come across anything suspicious, don't be shy to ask us here at the SDC about it. You can post at our Scam Watch forum so other members can stay informed.

You may also contact Services Australia's Scams and Identity Theft Helpdesk on 1800 941 126 or send a report to Australian Competition and Consumer Commission here.

If the worst case happens, seek advice from the Australian Financial Complaints Authority if you’re unhappy with how your bank has responded to your situation.

Key Takeaways

• A woman named Marie Marshall fell victim to a phone scam, losing her life savings amounting to $21,000.
• The scammer posed as a representative from the Commonwealth Bank fraud department, led her to download an app, and gained access to her account information.
• After learning about the scam, Marie was left distraught and heartbroken. She has been receiving ongoing calls from unknown numbers and her Facebook account has been hacked.
• The Commonwealth Bank, after completing their investigation, informed Marie that her funds were not recoverable and she must pay back all the money the scammer had spent along with the fees on her credit card. The bank has offered compensation of $4,490.15 while stating that $2,535.00 had to be paid back.

Members, do you have any tips or stories about phone scams? Share them in the comments below!

I had one like that told them I had a incoming call and would get back to the bank,the caller hung up

 

[Alec Khoury]

Be aware! I was nearly scammed when I received a call from Vodaphone offering me, a pensioner, a 40% discount on my Vodaphone account and asking for my phone pin! I was excited and fortunately had forgotten my pin number. I then phoned Vodaphone about the discount and asked if it is was genuine.
There had been no such discount offered from Vodaphone and any offers made would be via email.
DON'T GIVE ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION OVER THE PHONE TO ANYONE.

AE KHOURY

 

[Esma Rose]

Answering To 52KID you are so right. We all THINK we are smart arses but these scammer guys have been a street ahead of us for years. They are SO clever having to pick just the right time that you are a little "not feeling right" & a little off the alarm carpet. No matter how smart you think you are, we all have our moments when off-guard & use only one word to catch you out in off moments. For all of you that call the sad ones
'dummy" BE AWARE, cos no matter how clever you think you are, you have no right to make people's insecurities more to them than they are. When it does catch up with YOU, then will you understand the painful situation another human can cause to a person just like yourself who has struggled to put a little nest egg away for a rosier future. In lots of cases it effects the current NOW TIME. We have lived long enough in a world of trust. Harden up & trust no-one. Hard way to live but it is now necessary for survival. Times have altered.....for good.
Remember the old adage of "Don't let your left hand know what your right hand is planning?"

 

[Defiant540]

i cannot believe that there are still people out there falling for these scams. As long as this is happening, then the scammers are here to stay.
I have no sympathy for anyone who gets taken in by these scams!!

until YOU get caught!

 

[Leenie]

I don't understand no matter how old you are wouldn't you hang up and ring the bank !

Everyone is now aware of scams.

I answered hubby's phone the other day, it was an Indian lady who said she was from Vodafone and said my husbands first name, straight away I knew it wasn't right because his number is on my account , his name is no where on the account or with Vodafone, she wanted to offer a different plan but before going ahead want all his details.
I told her if she was from Vodafone she can then call me the real holder of the account. I hung up and blocked the number

Agree

 

[Leenie]

The latest one I got today was from From JB hifi in a personal letter ,how stupid do they think we are. I am fed up these scum .it went where they all go in the bin.

 

[Hrynpa]

Marie Marshall is a woman who prides herself on her selfless, hardworking nature. For 66 years, she’s put the needs of others ahead of her own and has saved diligently for her retirement. Sadly, her dream of a peaceful retirement is now slipping away from her after she fell victim to a cruel phone scam.

The scam began when Marie received a call from a man claiming to be from the Commonwealth Bank’s (CBA) fraud department.

'He had an Indian accent, but spoke clearly in English and appeared highly educated and very patient,' she said. 'He was able to quote my account numbers and balances.'

View attachment 27932

Marie Marshall lost $21,000 of her savings due to a phone call scam. Credit: Jae Park/Unsplash

The scammer told Marie that her account had been compromised by suspicious transactions.

‘In order to secure my accounts and funds, he said I’d need to open a new CBA account and transfer all my money there,’ Marie recalled.

To make the situation appear more legitimate, the scammer told Marie she would need to confirm her ID using an app. Ironically, he warned that this was more secure than providing details over the phone, which is 'what scammers do'.

It was after Marie downloaded this app (actually a type of virus known as a ‘trojan horse’) that the scammer had access to her phone, using it to completely drain her savings–a total of $21,000.

While some were able to be recovered after it was put into a Westpac account, the majority of her savings are still missing. Marie was left with a mere $4 in her purse.

View attachment 27931

The scammer posed as an employee of Commonwealth Bank. Credit: myphotobank.com.au/Shutterstock

‘I had no idea I’d been scammed until two days later,’ she explained.

The realisation came when she read a post on social media that appeared to be about her exact situation. Unable to log in to her bank account, Marie drove to a nearby ATM and discovered her pin did not work.

‘I was heartbroken and highly distraught,’ Marie recounted.

Marie and her daughter went to her nearest Commonwealth branch to file a complaint and start an investigation. However, after the investigation, the bank informed Marie that her funds were not recoverable.

While CBA has offered Marie $4,490.15 as compensation, they have allegedly stated that she has to pay the money the scammer spent, which totals $2,535.

‘I don’t feel that CBA’s response has been acceptable,’ she mentioned.

Marie narrates how this scam has changed her life: ‘I plan to retire on the pension and a small amount of superannuation. I don’t own a home. The savings the scammer stole would have been used to buy a car, as well as paying off some bills.’

Since then, Marie has received many phone calls from unknown numbers, and her social media page has been hacked, which led to the loss of her photos and contacts.

Her family has since opened a GoFundMe page to help her through this difficult time. As of writing, donations have reached more than $10,000.

View attachment 27933

Marie’s family opened a GoFundMe page to help her through this difficult time. Credit: GoFundMe

She also shared the mental toll this ordeal has caused her: ‘Since the scam, I’ve gone through such a hard time. I was so embarrassed, and I felt so stupid that I fell for the scam. I’d always been so careful with money,’ Marie said.

‘I was quite teary and quiet since it occurred, and I fell into a state of mild depression, which my family monitored closely,’ she added.

Members, Marie’s story is a heartbreaking reminder to stay alert to phone scams and be informed of other techniques scammers use nowadays.

In light of this, we’ve compiled a list of tips to protect yourself:

• Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers.
• Consider an app that identifies which numbers are call centres and which are scammers.
• Hang up on anyone who calls asking for your personal information, including bank details.
• Be wary of anyone who pushes you to make decisions quickly or ask you to keep it a secret.
• Unless your bank has contacted you first, don’t transfer any money if someone requests it over the phone.

If you ever find yourself the victim of a scam, it’s important to contact your local police and your bank immediately. It’s also a good idea to raise the issue online or with organisations like your telco provider or bank, as general awareness helps expose scammers and keeps the rest of the community safe.

If you come across anything suspicious, don't be shy to ask us here at the SDC about it. You can post at our Scam Watch forum so other members can stay informed.

You may also contact Services Australia's Scams and Identity Theft Helpdesk on 1800 941 126 or send a report to Australian Competition and Consumer Commission here.

If the worst case happens, seek advice from the Australian Financial Complaints Authority if you’re unhappy with how your bank has responded to your situation.

Key Takeaways

• A woman named Marie Marshall fell victim to a phone scam, losing her life savings amounting to $21,000.
• The scammer posed as a representative from the Commonwealth Bank fraud department, led her to download an app, and gained access to her account information.
• After learning about the scam, Marie was left distraught and heartbroken. She has been receiving ongoing calls from unknown numbers and her Facebook account has been hacked.
• The Commonwealth Bank, after completing their investigation, informed Marie that her funds were not recoverable and she must pay back all the money the scammer had spent along with the fees on her credit card. The bank has offered compensation of $4,490.15 while stating that $2,535.00 had to be paid back.

Members, do you have any tips or stories about phone scams? Share them in the comments below!

I am annoyed this happened to a nice Lady. When are the phone companies going to stop these scams like they promised!!!!!

 

[BruceC]

Well thank you to all these people who call us stupid for falling for these scams. Just hope it never happens to these smart tech savvy warriors. I also thought I was cluey enough to never fall for any scams over the phone but back in 2021 I did that exact same thing. This scam was from NBN but was so realistic that I never had a clue until I lost my $5000. My credit union couldn’t recover it either as even though I rang the bank straight away, by the time they got I touch with the bank the money had been transferred to it was GONE. We’ve been suffering ever since because that was most of our savings. It’s useless ringing the police cos all they tell you to do is report it to scam watch.. which I did. I did report it to another scam department who investigated but because the money was taken from my bank account and not from a credit card there wasn’t much that could be done because as they said I authorised the transfer… STUPID me..and not the credit Union But only authorised a transfer of $5 not the $5000 they took. I don’t know how they sleep at night, the bas……ds..
My cousin had the exact same scam done to her but because it was taken from a credit card, her bank refunded her the money So she was one of the lucky ones. I only wish she had told me earlier then I wouldn’t have fallen victim to these unscrupulous people. We were told that this is their job to make it look so realistic and being older, we just are too trustworthy. NEVER AGAIN..now I don’t answer any calls for numbers I don’t know..

As I have said. You are a fool for falling for it.
How hard would it have been to simply contact NBN before doing anything else!
If anyone reacts to these email, messages or phone calls without firstly contacting the so called provider to validate them then more fool them.

 

[BruceC]

Just don't answer numbers you don't know, if it is important the caller will leave a message. There is no app to cover peoples stupidity.

 

[Sandie1952]

My sister got scammed the same way when she had spent the day in lots of pain, and had taken some heavy duty pain meds. When she got the phone call she wasn’t her normal self and got caught out. She lost just over $700 which was most of her jobseeker payment for the next fortnight. She was already depressed and having anxiety issues trying to manage on such little money, this added to her issues. Nothing was recovered. These scammers are the scum of the earth and need dealing with harshly, like firing squad would be too good for them.

I completely sympathise with your sister I got scammed too but luckily for me my bank was onto it they have a fraud team that works tirelessly 24/7 to keep their customers accounts safe I was so grateful to them. These scammers are the scum of the earth and they prey on the elderly because they know they are not so tech savvy. I had a lapse in concentration but it was enough to make me more aware ..
Get these scammers and make them pay the law needs to make them accountable and punishment more severe why is it that the victim is the one suffering?

 

[Sandie1952]

As I have said. You are a fool for falling for it.
How hard would it have been to simply contact NBN before doing anything else!
If anyone reacts to these email, messages or phone calls without firstly contacting the so called provider to validate them then more fool them.

It can happen to anyone but the elderly are more vulnerable so that’s harsh … it’s the scammers that need to be punished not the victims

 

[bschulze]

It is a sad world we live in today, being a pensioner I really feel for Marie. But my question is what is a safe app that identifies a scammer from a legit caller, does anyone who is tech savvy able to advise us with so many apps out there.

i think that any one who uses internet banking or uses there mobile phone to down load your bank acounts and use it instead of cash to buy things only is a fool in every aspect as useing cash thru a bank book with draw by signature you can never be scammed in any way i do that and have never been scammed never use my card to buy things thru the net just my grey bank book and my card that linked to it and cash only when buying any thing

 

[JB2]

I still have a landline in case there is a problem with my mobile. I was getting so many calls each day it was driving me crazy. I did not answer them because nobody has my landline number so then after notifying Telstra about my problem they checked the only number I could give them and they said it did not exist. They said there is a phone that you can get which will block numbers. This is what I have now. I do manually block calls and I don’t hear when any come in. I then block and delete them when I check if there were any. It is possible I don’t have the phones set up properly yet but it is much quieter now.

 

[dawnief52]

Marie Marshall is a woman who prides herself on her selfless, hardworking nature. For 66 years, she’s put the needs of others ahead of her own and has saved diligently for her retirement. Sadly, her dream of a peaceful retirement is now slipping away from her after she fell victim to a cruel phone scam.

The scam began when Marie received a call from a man claiming to be from the Commonwealth Bank’s (CBA) fraud department.

'He had an Indian accent, but spoke clearly in English and appeared highly educated and very patient,' she said. 'He was able to quote my account numbers and balances.'

View attachment 27932

Marie Marshall lost $21,000 of her savings due to a phone call scam. Credit: Jae Park/Unsplash

The scammer told Marie that her account had been compromised by suspicious transactions.

‘In order to secure my accounts and funds, he said I’d need to open a new CBA account and transfer all my money there,’ Marie recalled.

To make the situation appear more legitimate, the scammer told Marie she would need to confirm her ID using an app. Ironically, he warned that this was more secure than providing details over the phone, which is 'what scammers do'.

It was after Marie downloaded this app (actually a type of virus known as a ‘trojan horse’) that the scammer had access to her phone, using it to completely drain her savings–a total of $21,000.

While some were able to be recovered after it was put into a Westpac account, the majority of her savings are still missing. Marie was left with a mere $4 in her purse.

View attachment 27931

The scammer posed as an employee of Commonwealth Bank. Credit: myphotobank.com.au/Shutterstock

‘I had no idea I’d been scammed until two days later,’ she explained.

The realisation came when she read a post on social media that appeared to be about her exact situation. Unable to log in to her bank account, Marie drove to a nearby ATM and discovered her pin did not work.

‘I was heartbroken and highly distraught,’ Marie recounted.

Marie and her daughter went to her nearest Commonwealth branch to file a complaint and start an investigation. However, after the investigation, the bank informed Marie that her funds were not recoverable.

While CBA has offered Marie $4,490.15 as compensation, they have allegedly stated that she has to pay the money the scammer spent, which totals $2,535.

‘I don’t feel that CBA’s response has been acceptable,’ she mentioned.

Marie narrates how this scam has changed her life: ‘I plan to retire on the pension and a small amount of superannuation. I don’t own a home. The savings the scammer stole would have been used to buy a car, as well as paying off some bills.’

Since then, Marie has received many phone calls from unknown numbers, and her social media page has been hacked, which led to the loss of her photos and contacts.

Her family has since opened a GoFundMe page to help her through this difficult time. As of writing, donations have reached more than $10,000.

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Marie’s family opened a GoFundMe page to help her through this difficult time. Credit: GoFundMe

She also shared the mental toll this ordeal has caused her: ‘Since the scam, I’ve gone through such a hard time. I was so embarrassed, and I felt so stupid that I fell for the scam. I’d always been so careful with money,’ Marie said.

‘I was quite teary and quiet since it occurred, and I fell into a state of mild depression, which my family monitored closely,’ she added.

Members, Marie’s story is a heartbreaking reminder to stay alert to phone scams and be informed of other techniques scammers use nowadays.

In light of this, we’ve compiled a list of tips to protect yourself:

• Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers.
• Consider an app that identifies which numbers are call centres and which are scammers.
• Hang up on anyone who calls asking for your personal information, including bank details.
• Be wary of anyone who pushes you to make decisions quickly or ask you to keep it a secret.
• Unless your bank has contacted you first, don’t transfer any money if someone requests it over the phone.

If you ever find yourself the victim of a scam, it’s important to contact your local police and your bank immediately. It’s also a good idea to raise the issue online or with organisations like your telco provider or bank, as general awareness helps expose scammers and keeps the rest of the community safe.

If you come across anything suspicious, don't be shy to ask us here at the SDC about it. You can post at our Scam Watch forum so other members can stay informed.

You may also contact Services Australia's Scams and Identity Theft Helpdesk on 1800 941 126 or send a report to Australian Competition and Consumer Commission here.

If the worst case happens, seek advice from the Australian Financial Complaints Authority if you’re unhappy with how your bank has responded to your situation.

Key Takeaways

• A woman named Marie Marshall fell victim to a phone scam, losing her life savings amounting to $21,000.
• The scammer posed as a representative from the Commonwealth Bank fraud department, led her to download an app, and gained access to her account information.
• After learning about the scam, Marie was left distraught and heartbroken. She has been receiving ongoing calls from unknown numbers and her Facebook account has been hacked.
• The Commonwealth Bank, after completing their investigation, informed Marie that her funds were not recoverable and she must pay back all the money the scammer had spent along with the fees on her credit card. The bank has offered compensation of $4,490.15 while stating that $2,535.00 had to be paid back.

Members, do you have any tips or stories about phone scams? Share them in the comments below!

I don't understand why she has to pay the bank back

 

[maggiej]

What has me questioning this scam is the amounts mentioned. Why would the bank refund her such an odd amount and then say she had to pay yet another figure for what the person had spent? If they had taken all her money then how come the bank allowed the account to be overdrawn? That's how it looks to me.

 

[Glenys R]

When in doubt I mention that my husband is a police officer ( he wasn't and passed away 2 yrs ago) and that this call is being recorded and traced - this gets rid of most of them. Some I just take the phone off the hook and let them ramble on - - others I just hang up. It sometimes pays to phone the organisation they say they represent and check what's going on and report details. The more people who know about it the better!!

 

[Leenie]

I'm sure we have had these stories before why are people still falling for them a bank doesn't call you like that

My bank c all’s when my term is due for renewal.

 

[maxesmum]

Totally agree. I fell for the Mum and Pop scam - their timing was amazing at a time when I wasn't a bit suprised that my child needed help. I didn't think anything of "helping". In hind sight there were red flags, but I was too worried at the time to notice them. I didn't even know I'd been scammed until I heard somebody else speak about the same message I received. I'm no dummy, but it can happen to any of you if the timing is right.

Friend of mine,very savvy lady also fell for the mum and dad scam. Her daughter uses a work phone and often messages on unknown numbers. They also send each other cash if one or other is caught short if they’re out and about. Sue was getting fuel when her phone pinged the message….mum,can you send me $300.00. I’ll fix you up when I pick up the kids. Can you put it in the work account with the bank details. It was that simple. She thought nothing more of it and sent the money across.