Cindy messed up...but we're okay. I think
 

(edit: This a 2 days saga) Cindy fell for a phone scammer. Since we'd been dealing with Xfinity lately, poor Cindy thought a scammer really was calling from Xfinity, let the scammer into our computer and actually gave her our bank account number! Since our dealing was a rate reduction, Cindy believed the scammer wanted to deposit an "overcharge". Gawd! Lucky I returned from the barbershop in time to see what was happening, killed the power to the 'puter. Next immediate move was to rush to the bank, where a kindly officer lady closed our old account, gave us a new one. Anyway, a general mess to clean up...including on the 'puter. I think we dodged a bullet.

Anyway, looking like we lucked out..dodged a bullet. Credit cards are okay. Probably because I'm a silly old technophobe who has never given a card number on the net, and won't do paypal. Anyway, only 2 credit cards, they both aware of what happened. We do have a debit card, but Cindy only uses it at our local issuing bank. It's been closed, a new one being issued. The only accounts on our 'puter are with Vanguard securities and with the US Treasury bank, where we hold some bonds. According to our computer programmer neighbor, even Russian or Chinese hackers would have a hard time trying to enter those systems...not to worry.

This neighbor was our savior! He spent 6-7 hours on the cleanup...using his spare hard drive, on the phone with a service, etc. Generally speaking, everything on our 'puter was removed, every program "cleaned"", and the portal to enter created by the hacker was removed. See the benefits gained from letting him have the firewood from some dead trees here? I figure this kindly act was worth much more than the 4, maybe 5 cords of wood.

Cindy still has some penance to pay by contacting direct payment folks to inform them of our new bank account number. Hope those go better than Social Security...with the 'puter still at risk, had to use the phone. Would you believe over 3 hours on hold? Made the 50 minutes on hold with a credit card company a piece of cake.

A bitter lesson well learned...I'm as sure as I can be that Cindy won't do that again. Never...never ever assume a caller is who he or she says they are. If they claim to be from XYZ corporation, even if you think it's legit, hang up, then call XYZ Corporation directly. NEVER give any personal information to a cold caller.

Also plan on getting a good restaurant gift certificate for our neighbor...he wouldn't take money.

If it makes you and Cindy feel any better, These people are experts and they take millions of unsuspecting folks, no fault on you guys part. Good luck and it seems you have won - just in time. Good luck, Bill.

Dodged a bullet for sure.
Good thing it’s just a scare (and a good lesson)
Could have been much much worse.

Gotta be a special place in heaven for our neighbor, helping out a couple of techno ignorant seniors. I'll be sure to put in a good word for him should I be lucky enough to arrive there. When he was on the phone with a cleanup service tech, he was using a language I knew nothing about. He did tell me I did good by killing the power and running to the bank. Glad I didn't come across any cops on my way into town...Cindy later said she didn't know her Camry could corner like that. ;)

Last week, I got a text at 5 am from one of those 5 digit numbers. I asked if I made a purchase at CCB Madison. Reply Y or N. N. Then I get another text that says I may be a victim of fraud so call xxxxxx. No f'n way am I calling that number. Check the credit card and call the number on back instead. It was a real text from the CC company. Watch out for charges from CCB for a small amount. It seems this runs through Coca Cola Beverage (most likely a machine) first to see if it is flagged with a small charge. If not, they will go to town with the car.

Paul, do you have your "credit frozen" at all three agencies. I did that probably 20 years ago and would suggest that too. For almost everyone... it's prudent.

Why didn't ya take the Moosetang to the bank... is the Camry THAT much faster :D?

Whew .... :)

I'm glad you guys are still whole. I can't imagine the feeling in the pit of your stomach when you came home and realized what was happening.

Yep, the scammers are professionals. This is what they research and practice all the time.

There is also an increase in "Spear Phishing".
They will research you and your area prior to the call. Possibly know which church you go to from postings on social media. Your neighbors name. Even the information the you just hooked up cable service.

Remember, it is their JOB to know your weakness!

My friend got duped also.
When the remote desk top session he granted them (DUMB MOVE) was going on with them, they altered a so called Amazon refund by a zero more.
I took me two days to convince him he got duped.

Any time someone like this cold calls me, if there is any financial implication, I call back that institution myself. Once my SSN was stolen (tax fraud) they've got all kinds of info on me now. No way I can verify who they are without calling them back.

This may help. There are some guys out there that scam them back.

https://youtu.be/nlA8MmRNV2w

God bless this guy....hope he's making a good living doing this. Too bad the one who called Cindy didn't call him first.