A warning text led to this costly mistake—how one couple lost over $80K in a shocking scam
- Replies 0
It began like any ordinary day.
An older couple received a simple alert that something wasn’t right with their online account.
There was a charge they didn’t recognize—and a number to call.
But what started with a text ended with nearly $83,000 lost to a carefully crafted scam.
It began with a message about a suspicious $599 transaction that appeared to be from their digital payment account.
They followed the instructions in the text and called the listed number. The person who answered said they were from Norton Security.
The couple was told to fill out a form to catalog the amount they “lost.” They complied.
Shortly after, they saw what looked like a $50,000 deposit into their account.
They assumed they had made a mistake on the form and accidentally requested too much back. The person on the line told them to wire $49,000 to an account in Utah to correct it.
They did as instructed. But the scam didn’t stop there. The fraudster claimed the wire couldn’t go through due to a problem with the IRS.
They were then asked to hand over the money in cash instead.
Shockingly, a courier came straight to their home and picked up $33,000 in person. By the time the ordeal ended, the couple had lost close to $83,000.
Also read: How a $50K scam fooled a finance expert—and what it means for the rest of us
Police in Ormond Beach confirmed that the couple was targeted by a scam using fake payment alerts and impersonated customer service agents.
PayPal released a statement urging users not to trust phone numbers provided through texts or even found in search engines.
Instead, customers should always go through the official app or website for assistance. They also emphasized the importance of reporting scams immediately. This scam is part of a much larger pattern.
In the early weeks of June, police in Tennessee arrested two men in connection with a multi-state PayPal scam.
The individuals allegedly posed as customer support agents, remotely accessed victims’ bank accounts, and even arranged for couriers to collect money directly.
The case is now under investigation by the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI. Federal agencies are emphasizing just how widespread and organized these types of scams have become.
The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center released a report earlier this year showing that phishing scams—where victims are tricked into sharing private data—were among the top three cybercrimes in 2024.
In total, criminals stole $16.6 billion last year from Americans alone.
That marks a 33% increase compared to 2023. Older adults, especially those over 60, were the hardest hit. They lost nearly $5 billion, according to the report.
Also read: Could your next hotel reservation be at risk? What travelers need to know about this growing scam
The report also noted that text-based scams are growing rapidly. Scammers craft messages that look legitimate and make you think your account or money is at risk.
The Federal Communications Commission estimates that nearly $500 million was lost to text message scams in 2024 alone. The message may seem real. It may use familiar brand names or mention a suspicious charge.
But one wrong call or click can give scammers everything they need to take your money.
The Federal Trade Commission recommends a few key steps to protect yourself from scams like this.
If you’ve already been targeted, take immediate action. Contact your bank and any financial institutions where you hold accounts.
Report the fraud to local police and the Federal Trade Commission. Let someone you trust know what happened so they can help you take the right steps.
Scams like these are increasing in complexity and frequency. But with the right knowledge and a cautious mindset, you can protect yourself and your savings.
Read next: Bitcoin scam nearly cost a 73-year-old $20,000—here’s how she was saved
Have you or someone you know received a suspicious message like this? What steps do you take to keep your information safe from hackers? Share your thoughts and tips in the comments—your experience could help protect someone else.
An older couple received a simple alert that something wasn’t right with their online account.
There was a charge they didn’t recognize—and a number to call.
But what started with a text ended with nearly $83,000 lost to a carefully crafted scam.
It began with a message about a suspicious $599 transaction that appeared to be from their digital payment account.
They followed the instructions in the text and called the listed number. The person who answered said they were from Norton Security.
The couple was told to fill out a form to catalog the amount they “lost.” They complied.
An older couple received a simple alert that something wasn’t right with their online account and lost nearly $83,000 from their account. Image Source: Kampus Production / Pexels
Shortly after, they saw what looked like a $50,000 deposit into their account.
They assumed they had made a mistake on the form and accidentally requested too much back. The person on the line told them to wire $49,000 to an account in Utah to correct it.
They did as instructed. But the scam didn’t stop there. The fraudster claimed the wire couldn’t go through due to a problem with the IRS.
They were then asked to hand over the money in cash instead.
Shockingly, a courier came straight to their home and picked up $33,000 in person. By the time the ordeal ended, the couple had lost close to $83,000.
Also read: How a $50K scam fooled a finance expert—and what it means for the rest of us
Police in Ormond Beach confirmed that the couple was targeted by a scam using fake payment alerts and impersonated customer service agents.
PayPal released a statement urging users not to trust phone numbers provided through texts or even found in search engines.
Instead, customers should always go through the official app or website for assistance. They also emphasized the importance of reporting scams immediately. This scam is part of a much larger pattern.
In the early weeks of June, police in Tennessee arrested two men in connection with a multi-state PayPal scam.
The individuals allegedly posed as customer support agents, remotely accessed victims’ bank accounts, and even arranged for couriers to collect money directly.
PayPal released a statement urging users not to trust phone numbers provided through texts or even found in search engines. Image Source: Julio Lopez / Unsplash
The case is now under investigation by the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI. Federal agencies are emphasizing just how widespread and organized these types of scams have become.
The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center released a report earlier this year showing that phishing scams—where victims are tricked into sharing private data—were among the top three cybercrimes in 2024.
In total, criminals stole $16.6 billion last year from Americans alone.
That marks a 33% increase compared to 2023. Older adults, especially those over 60, were the hardest hit. They lost nearly $5 billion, according to the report.
Also read: Could your next hotel reservation be at risk? What travelers need to know about this growing scam
The report also noted that text-based scams are growing rapidly. Scammers craft messages that look legitimate and make you think your account or money is at risk.
The Federal Communications Commission estimates that nearly $500 million was lost to text message scams in 2024 alone. The message may seem real. It may use familiar brand names or mention a suspicious charge.
But one wrong call or click can give scammers everything they need to take your money.
The Federal Trade Commission recommends a few key steps to protect yourself from scams like this.
- First, don’t respond to messages from unknown sources, especially ones that demand immediate action.
- Second, if you’re unsure, contact the company through its verified phone number or website—not through a link in a message or a number found through a web search.
- Next, block and report suspicious numbers.
- Then, you can forward scam messages to SPAM (7726) to help authorities track and stop them.
- Finally, always pause and think before you act.
If you’ve already been targeted, take immediate action. Contact your bank and any financial institutions where you hold accounts.
Report the fraud to local police and the Federal Trade Commission. Let someone you trust know what happened so they can help you take the right steps.
Scams like these are increasing in complexity and frequency. But with the right knowledge and a cautious mindset, you can protect yourself and your savings.
Read next: Bitcoin scam nearly cost a 73-year-old $20,000—here’s how she was saved
