TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Tampa family nearly lost their retirement savings after a fraud scheme that happened over the phone early Monday.
The Davis family said they received a call from a man impersonating a Bank of America representative, who had all of their banking information, and asked them to move $15,000 to a new account after alleged fraudulent activity.
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“At first it made my heart drop… and once I found out what was happening, it made me furious,” said Charlie Davis.
Davis told 8 On Your Side the criminal instructed him to walk into the bank and make the transaction while leaving his cell phone on and connected to the call, before sending a picture of the receipt.
Bank of America staff at the Tampa location quickly realized the actions as a commonly used scheme and cancelled the potential money wire.
“I was so close to losing so much,” Davis said.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said that different types of these schemes are reported daily and vary in nature. Oftentimes they target the vulnerable, elderly, and those with a lack of knowledge about technology.
“Phone scams are heartless and they are never ending. If they can get $100 from you, then they’re going to try for $500. And if they can get $500, they can try for $1,000. So there really is no end until you put an end to it,” said Deputy Geoff Moore, with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office recommends all victims of these crimes to report them to law enforcement’s financial crimes division.
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