I GOT SCAMMED!

During the years that I ran the Carroll County, Maryland TRIAD organization, (Police. AARP and Senior citizens) I continually emphasized the need to take precautions in order to avoid being hacked or scammed.  

Well, now I have to confess that I didn't follow my own suggestions and wasn't suspicious enough. I got "chummy" with the scammer and got hooked. Let me reconstruct the embarrassing situation. 

One evening, my computer screen filled with a brightly colored "Message from Microsoft."  It was accompanied by a voice yelling "You are being hacked.  Do not shut down your computer. Call us at this telephone number immediately to avoid losing your identity!  #--- --- ----."

The screen also contained "Microsoft links" and did look legitimate.  However, I was suspicious, so I contacted a company that verifies telephone numbers.  For $5 they did a search and reported back to me that they found no problems with the number. Stupidly, I figured that the number was "legit," and I dialed it.

A gentleman with a slight Russian accent answered (Let's call him "S" for either "Slick, Scammer or Sam."

Me:  "Is this Microsoft Security."

S:  "Yes, Mr. Vaughan, may I call you 'Joe?'"

Me:  "Yes.  What's my problem?"

BAIT

After a period of pleasant conversation about weather, family and computers, (He was obviously a "Techie.") he said.

S: "Joe, Chinese hackers are attempting to download 'Child Porn' to your computer."

Me:  "The idea of 'Child Porn' disgusts me. Can it be blocked?"

S: "Not unless you take some measures. I'll guide you through them, but you will have to do that through your computer."

He then had me key in some "CTL-Type" instructions, one of which showed that 17 Chinese hackers were now listening in on our conversation. (Or so he said.)

S: "Joe, you know that if they download that porn to your computer, the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) will automatically fine you $7,000 and may impose a jail sentence."

Me: "But it wouldn't be my fault."

S:  "That doesn't matter."

Me: "What do I do now?"

S:  "But first, they may try to hack into your Discover account, you need to immediately call Discover and ask that they protect your account."

(How did he know I had a Discover account?)

Getting a little panicky, I dialed the Discover emergency number that S provided. (How could I have been so dumb?)

"D" indicates Discover.

D: "Good evening, how may I help you?"

Me: "Can you put protection in place so hackers can't get into my account?"

D: "First, let me check your account. What is your credit card number?"

(I stupidly complied.)

D: "I'm sorry to tell you that a $6,000 purchase was made with that Discover card this morning and the transaction is now working its way through international offices."

Me: "I did not make that transaction, can it be voided?"

D: "I don't think so, but let me check with my supervisor."

After 3 minutes of Rock Music, D came back on the phone,

D: "My boss says there is only one way to void this transaction.  By making a duplicate purchase. Then, when we see that two exact purchases were made, we will ask you three things, you will need to pick one.

'Do you want to accept both transactions?'

'Do you want to cancel one transaction?'  

Do you want to cancel both transactions?'" 

Me:  "Yes, I'll want to cancel both transactions.  How do I go about making the duplicate transaction?"

S has been monitoring the "on speaker" conversation and says: I'll tell you."

D: "Good, but it has to be done within the next two hours."

S: "You need to immediately go to your corner store and ask for a "Security Card" with $6,000 value. You then need to tell Discover that you have it."

Me: "I don't have a 'corner store' and the nearest store is 10 miles away. Besides, what store does it have to be, and what the hell is a Security Card?" 

S:  "All stores have them and they serve as 'mini-loans.'  But hurry. you only have a two-hour 'window.'"

Me:  "I'll have to ask my son to get the card."

S: "Don't ask your son, this has to be done by you in person. And don't get back on your computer until after the two-hour time-frame.  Hurry!"

(I am now "out of my mind.") 

Disobeying S, I call my son and ask him to take me to the Safeway supermarket as soon as possible, to get the card!

My son and my daughter-in-law instantly recognize the scam and eventually calm me down enough to see things rationally again.

S and D really messed with my mind.  I was lucky to have knowledgeable people to get it back in order.

My son and daughter quickly worked hard to change and secure my accounts so that I would not be a scam victim again.

I have to admit, S is certainly good at what he does, a consummate conman who taught me a great lesson.  He probably makes these scam calls from a prison cell. When he gets out, he'll probably become an ace used car salesman.

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