Surrey, British Columbia · February 2025
A pop-up, nine hours on the phone, and $20,000 in a parking lot
Lost $20,000
On January 30, a pop-up on Naomi’s computer said it had been hacked. She called the number on the screen. A man from a “fraud department” told the 84-year-old former teacher that her accounts were compromised, and that she must withdraw $30,000 to stop it going to Mexico.
Over nine hours she called him more than 40 times. Twice she handed $10,000 to a person in a parking lot. She was told to tell bank staff the money was for a car payment.
“I’ll never lose my trust for people.”
When the bank closed early for a birthday party, she told a neighbour, who saw what was happening. She had not called her sons; she thought she had to deal with it alone. They called the police, and a community fundraiser raised more than $20,000.
CBC News, 26 February 2025. “Community rallies in support of Surrey, B.C., senior who lost $20K in scam”
Step by step, and what stops each one
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Stage 01
A pop-up saying her computer had been hacked, with a number to call.
What stops it here
A warning that gives you a phone number is the scam. Close the browser, or turn the computer off, and call nobody from the screen.
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Stage 02
A “fraud department”: her money was about to go to Mexico.
What stops it here
The fright is the point; it keeps you from checking. Ring your bank on the number on your card before doing anything a caller asks.
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Stage 04
Withdraw $30,000, and tell the bank it is for a car payment.
What stops it here
If the teller asks, say what you were told: “They told me to say it is a car payment.” That sentence is all the bank needs to step in.
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Stage 05
Two handovers of $10,000 in a parking lot.
What stops it here
No bank or fraud department collects cash from you in a parking lot. A handover to a stranger is the scam, every time.
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It stopped here
Stage 06
More than 40 calls in nine hours, and more to withdraw.
The bank closed early, and she told a neighbour.
What stops it here
A caller who keeps you on the line all day is keeping you from talking to anyone else. Hang up and tell one person what is happening.