Computer hackers pretending to be from a giant tech company are calling consumers, and gaining access to their bank accounts. One hacker even swindled nearly $25,000 from one local couple.
“They’re so savvy that they can get into your computers and figure out passwords just by the click of the keys,” said Nancy Isdale.
Isdale and her husband George say they thought they were getting money from Microsoft until they were swindled out of $24,600. The hacker, who told the couple his name was Sean, made it seem like he was a tech support expert and that he was refunding the couple $400 on behalf of Microsoft, but instead he was fooling them into giving him remote access to their computer.
“Once they get into the computer you can see the mouse going around so they are into your computer,” explained George.
Then the couple said the scammer gained access to their money on their computer by saying they could help them set up online access for all of their bank accounts compromising their accounts.
“So that’s what they did, they took the money out of my savings, [and] put it in his checking account,” said Nancy.
Without them knowing, “Sean” took $25,000 from Nancy’s savings account and transferred it to George’s checking. Then the scammer said he mistakenly gave George a $25,000 Microsoft credit instead of that $400 credit, and that George needed to send $24,600 back.
“He was like crazy, he was like ‘oh my god this isn’t your money this is Microsoft’s money you need to get to the bank right away and wire transfer this’,” said Nancy.
What they ended up doing is sending their own hard earned money to that scammer in Bangkok, Thailand.
“You know I was nervous, I didn’t want to be responsible for $25,000 dollars to Microsoft so, you know, we went to the bank,” explained Nancy.
Just when they thought it was the end of it, the thief called them back a few days later demanding even more money.
“He wanted us to send $40,000 to Bangkok Thailand again,” explained Nancy.