Description
Longtime Crypto-Gram readers know that I collect personal experiences of people being scammed. Here's an almost:
> Then he added, "Here at Chase, we'll never ask for your personal information or passwords." On the contrary, he gave me more information--two "cancellation codes" and a long case number with four letters and 10 digits.
>
> That's when he offered to transfer me to his supervisor. That simple phrase, familiar from countless customer-service calls, draped a cloak of corporate competence over this unfolding drama. His _supervisor_. I mean, would a scammer have a supervisor?
>
> The line went mute for a few seconds, and a second man greeted me with a voice of authority. "My name is Mike Wallace," he said, and asked for my case number from the first guy. I dutifully read it back to him.
>
> "Yes, yes, I see," the man said, as if looking at a screen. He explained the situation--new account, Zelle transfers, Texas--and suggested we reverse the attempted withdrawal.
>
> I'm not proud to report that by now, he had my full attention, and I was ready to proceed with whatever plan he had in mind.
It happens to smart people who know better. It could happen to you.
> Then he added, "Here at Chase, we'll never ask for your personal information or passwords." On the contrary, he gave me more information--two "cancellation codes" and a long case number with four letters and 10 digits.
>
> That's when he offered to transfer me to his supervisor. That simple phrase, familiar from countless customer-service calls, draped a cloak of corporate competence over this unfolding drama. His _supervisor_. I mean, would a scammer have a supervisor?
>
> The line went mute for a few seconds, and a second man greeted me with a voice of authority. "My name is Mike Wallace," he said, and asked for my case number from the first guy. I dutifully read it back to him.
>
> "Yes, yes, I see," the man said, as if looking at a screen. He explained the situation--new account, Zelle transfers, Texas--and suggested we reverse the attempted withdrawal.
>
> I'm not proud to report that by now, he had my full attention, and I was ready to proceed with whatever plan he had in mind.
It happens to smart people who know better. It could happen to you.
Basic Information
ID
SCHNEIER:371FA97EE10C846DE62F3B733B0FDB54
Published
Sep 30, 2025 at 11:06
Modified
Sep 29, 2025 at 16:10