Scam alert! This single text could cost you almost $50,000 just like it did for this Sydney man!
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Most people would agree that in the age of increasingly advanced technology, scammers have kept pace through their devious schemes.
Just when you think you’re safe—in terms of online security and identity theft prevention—you may still be vulnerable.
Unfortunately, Gerald Chin, a 41-year-old man from Sydney, learned this harsh lesson when all it took for him to lose nearly $50k was one text message.
Gerald had been planning to take his elderly parents on a surprise trip to the US, but tragically, his plan was brought to a sad halt by some heartless scammers.
It all started with a text he received, which appeared to be from his bank, HSBC, asking that he call them.
The text was in an identical thread to legitimate messages from the bank, so he thought it wasn’t a fraud and probably an important notification that couldn't wait.
So, he dialled the number provided in the text and was put through to a man with a British accent by the name 'Adrian'.
Adrian proceeded to tell Gerald that someone had attempted to steal $49,000 from his account, and that the HSBC fraud team blocked the transaction.
He then suggested Gerald ‘lock’ his account to prevent further hacking attempts and asked him for his bank codes.
Gerald had no idea it was all a trick; he hadn’t even received any transaction notifications to alert him that money was being taken from his account.
It was only when Adrian called back the next day asking for more bank codes that he realised he’d been scammed.
Gerald has been traumatised by the incident and is having a hard time sleeping at night because aside from the stolen money, the scammers also know his personal information.
His plans to take his parents on an all-expenses paid trip to surprise his brother over the holiday season were jeopardised.
'I am also not sure whether I will have another opportunity as this whole incident has set me back for a few years,' he said.
'I'm devastated and gutted realising I have been scammed as it took a long time to save up that money and the financial stress has kicked in now knowing that I will be struggling to make payments for my mortgage and bills.'
Gerald believes banks should have better safeguards to protect customers from being fooled by text message scams like this one.
'What infuriated me was that there weren't any transaction notifications sent to my mobile or email, which could have prompted me to act quicker, considering it's a fairly large amount of money,' he said.
He is now working with the HSBC fraud team to recover his money, but he is not guaranteed to be reimbursed for the stolen money.
An HSBC spokesperson declined to speak on his case but said the bank takes customer security 'very seriously'. They also urged people to ignore any requests for confidential information.
'We thoroughly investigate any reported cases of scam or fraud,' they said.
'We advise customers to ignore any requests for their confidential information such as PINs, log-in passwords or verification codes through phone calls, emails or SMS messages.'
Meanwhile, an ANZ bank customer was swindled in June for $130,000 in just five minutes after he was contacted by a scammer with a British accent.
ANZ Bank contacted him a week later to let him know he had been scammed.
If you receive a text message, email or even an automated call asking for your private information, don’t trust it, even if it looks legitimate.
Go online to double-check details such as the bank’s logo, website and phone number, or go in-store and talk to authorised staff.
If you suspect you have been scammed, report the incident immediately to authorities. For more details, you may refer here.
Now, more than ever, it’s important to stay aware of scams, stay in control of your personal information and keep an eye on any suspicious activity occurring in your bank accounts.
What do you think of this story? Have you been sent a similar text before? Let us know in the comments below!
Just when you think you’re safe—in terms of online security and identity theft prevention—you may still be vulnerable.
Unfortunately, Gerald Chin, a 41-year-old man from Sydney, learned this harsh lesson when all it took for him to lose nearly $50k was one text message.
Gerald had been planning to take his elderly parents on a surprise trip to the US, but tragically, his plan was brought to a sad halt by some heartless scammers.
Beware of a ‘text’ pretending to be your bank; if in doubt, call your bank directly or refer to authorities. Image: Pexels
It all started with a text he received, which appeared to be from his bank, HSBC, asking that he call them.
The text was in an identical thread to legitimate messages from the bank, so he thought it wasn’t a fraud and probably an important notification that couldn't wait.
So, he dialled the number provided in the text and was put through to a man with a British accent by the name 'Adrian'.
Adrian proceeded to tell Gerald that someone had attempted to steal $49,000 from his account, and that the HSBC fraud team blocked the transaction.
He then suggested Gerald ‘lock’ his account to prevent further hacking attempts and asked him for his bank codes.
Gerald had no idea it was all a trick; he hadn’t even received any transaction notifications to alert him that money was being taken from his account.
It was only when Adrian called back the next day asking for more bank codes that he realised he’d been scammed.
Gerald has been traumatised by the incident and is having a hard time sleeping at night because aside from the stolen money, the scammers also know his personal information.
His plans to take his parents on an all-expenses paid trip to surprise his brother over the holiday season were jeopardised.
'I am also not sure whether I will have another opportunity as this whole incident has set me back for a few years,' he said.
'I'm devastated and gutted realising I have been scammed as it took a long time to save up that money and the financial stress has kicked in now knowing that I will be struggling to make payments for my mortgage and bills.'
Gerald believes banks should have better safeguards to protect customers from being fooled by text message scams like this one.
'What infuriated me was that there weren't any transaction notifications sent to my mobile or email, which could have prompted me to act quicker, considering it's a fairly large amount of money,' he said.
He is now working with the HSBC fraud team to recover his money, but he is not guaranteed to be reimbursed for the stolen money.
An HSBC spokesperson declined to speak on his case but said the bank takes customer security 'very seriously'. They also urged people to ignore any requests for confidential information.
'We thoroughly investigate any reported cases of scam or fraud,' they said.
'We advise customers to ignore any requests for their confidential information such as PINs, log-in passwords or verification codes through phone calls, emails or SMS messages.'
Meanwhile, an ANZ bank customer was swindled in June for $130,000 in just five minutes after he was contacted by a scammer with a British accent.
ANZ Bank contacted him a week later to let him know he had been scammed.
If you receive a text message, email or even an automated call asking for your private information, don’t trust it, even if it looks legitimate.
Go online to double-check details such as the bank’s logo, website and phone number, or go in-store and talk to authorised staff.
If you suspect you have been scammed, report the incident immediately to authorities. For more details, you may refer here.
Now, more than ever, it’s important to stay aware of scams, stay in control of your personal information and keep an eye on any suspicious activity occurring in your bank accounts.
What do you think of this story? Have you been sent a similar text before? Let us know in the comments below!
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