This cruel scam left radio star heartbroken—learn how to protect your loved ones now!
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In an age where technology has become a double-edged sword, scams targeting the vulnerable have become all too common, leaving families devastated and searching for ways to safeguard their loved ones.
The recent experience of a well-known radio personality has brought this issue to the forefront, highlighting the need for vigilance and protective measures against these cruel deceptions.
Bianca Dye, a 51-year-old radio star, was left in tears after her elderly mother, Anne, became the target of a heartless scam.
Anne, 79, was at home when she received a series of text messages that appeared to be from her daughter, claiming she needed help with an urgent tax bill.
The scammer, posing as Bianca, requested $3,000 to cover the supposed debt.
At the time of the scam, Bianca was busy hosting the breakfast shift on i98 in Wollongong, NSW, while her mother was at her home on the Gold Coast.
The scam preyed on Anne's instinct to help her daughter without causing her any additional stress.
'When parents get older, they don't want to bother you. She didn't want to stress me out,' Bianca explained.
Anne, not wanting to disturb her daughter, attempted to handle the situation independently.
This led to a sleepless night filled with worry and the near-miss of transferring the money to the scammers.
Fortunately, the transaction was unsuccessful due to confusion with her credit card number.
Realising something was amiss, Bianca asked her friend Tanya to check on her mother.
Tanya accompanied Anne to her local bank branch, where they secured her accounts by changing her PIN, ensuring no money had been taken.
This incident is one example of the many scams perpetrated against innocent Australians, mainly targeting the elderly.
Bianca shared her story on social media and her radio show, fighting back tears as she raised awareness about these scams.
To combat such threats, Apollo Secure cyber security expert Damien Cantelo suggested adopting a 'trust no one, assume nothing' approach.
He recommended setting up a 'safe word' with family members—a unique word that can be used to verify the person's identity on the other end of the line.
‘And if ever there's anything a little bit fishy going on, you can say, “Oh, hey Bianca, what's the safe word?” And then if you don't have it, they know to hang up.’ Cantelo said.
However, this strategy may not be foolproof for individuals like Anne, who are beginning to experience memory loss associated with aging.
'It's not going to get easier for her. And the scams are only going to get more and more intricate,' Bianca lamented.
Bianca is currently seeking funding to help her mother with basic home tasks and appointments.
She acknowledged that the system is overwhelmed and the wait for funding can be lengthy.
To our dear members of the Seniors Discount Club, we urge you to stay informed and proactive in protecting yourselves and your loved ones from these malicious scams.
If you or someone you know falls victim to a scam, acting quickly is crucial.
Contact the Australian Government's ScamWatch service, IDCARE, or your bank for immediate assistance.
What steps can families take to stay vigilant and protect loved ones from potential scams? How can we better safeguard vulnerable individuals in today’s digital age? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.
The recent experience of a well-known radio personality has brought this issue to the forefront, highlighting the need for vigilance and protective measures against these cruel deceptions.
Bianca Dye, a 51-year-old radio star, was left in tears after her elderly mother, Anne, became the target of a heartless scam.
Anne, 79, was at home when she received a series of text messages that appeared to be from her daughter, claiming she needed help with an urgent tax bill.
The scammer, posing as Bianca, requested $3,000 to cover the supposed debt.
Bianca Dye's elderly mother's experience with a cruel scam, where a scammer pretended to be her asking for money, was shared by the radio star. Credit: Facebook
At the time of the scam, Bianca was busy hosting the breakfast shift on i98 in Wollongong, NSW, while her mother was at her home on the Gold Coast.
The scam preyed on Anne's instinct to help her daughter without causing her any additional stress.
'When parents get older, they don't want to bother you. She didn't want to stress me out,' Bianca explained.
Anne, not wanting to disturb her daughter, attempted to handle the situation independently.
This led to a sleepless night filled with worry and the near-miss of transferring the money to the scammers.
Fortunately, the transaction was unsuccessful due to confusion with her credit card number.
Realising something was amiss, Bianca asked her friend Tanya to check on her mother.
Tanya accompanied Anne to her local bank branch, where they secured her accounts by changing her PIN, ensuring no money had been taken.
This incident is one example of the many scams perpetrated against innocent Australians, mainly targeting the elderly.
Bianca shared her story on social media and her radio show, fighting back tears as she raised awareness about these scams.
To combat such threats, Apollo Secure cyber security expert Damien Cantelo suggested adopting a 'trust no one, assume nothing' approach.
He recommended setting up a 'safe word' with family members—a unique word that can be used to verify the person's identity on the other end of the line.
‘And if ever there's anything a little bit fishy going on, you can say, “Oh, hey Bianca, what's the safe word?” And then if you don't have it, they know to hang up.’ Cantelo said.
However, this strategy may not be foolproof for individuals like Anne, who are beginning to experience memory loss associated with aging.
'It's not going to get easier for her. And the scams are only going to get more and more intricate,' Bianca lamented.
Bianca is currently seeking funding to help her mother with basic home tasks and appointments.
She acknowledged that the system is overwhelmed and the wait for funding can be lengthy.
To our dear members of the Seniors Discount Club, we urge you to stay informed and proactive in protecting yourselves and your loved ones from these malicious scams.
If you or someone you know falls victim to a scam, acting quickly is crucial.
Contact the Australian Government's ScamWatch service, IDCARE, or your bank for immediate assistance.
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