Emily Maitlis shared this tale of a scamming attempt and it’s a salutary lesson for us all

Poke Staff. Updated March 28th, 2022

Over on Twitter, presenter Emily Maitlis shared a short tale about a scammer and while it’s a salutary lesson for us all.

A short thread on fraud: on Thursday evening around 8pm I got called by the fraud detection squad at my bank and told I’d been a victim of fraud with attempts made on my bank account. I asked how I knew he was for real snd he told me to google the lost and stolen cards number…

— emily m (@maitlis) March 27, 2022

Sure enough the same number came up. So I listened as he told me I’d had attempts made on my card, my accounts had been visualised , and my email was also compromised. I’d have to change everything over. I was horrified. I suspected it was because I’d clinked on a link for..

— emily m (@maitlis) March 27, 2022

A missed parcel. And that was there way in. So I then asked for the name and email of the fraud detection guy. And suddenly the phone went dead. So I called back my bank and said I’ve just spoken to one of your guys about attempts made on my account and thy said no you haven’t..

— emily m (@maitlis) March 27, 2022

So then it dawns on me the fraud detection call is actually the fraudster. And I feel sick. Because it’s all a but matrix. And I tell the story to a friend at lunch the next day .. whose face slowly drains .. as he realises the exact same thing has happened to him… ..

— emily m (@maitlis) March 27, 2022

And they even played the “ this call will be recorded for training purposes” schpiel at the beginning. To make it sound bona fide..so this is I think a now recurring thing.. that gets you at your most vulnerable by telling you you’re already a victim.. early evening. Off guard.

— emily m (@maitlis) March 27, 2022

Post script: the weirdest thing is – I never ever ever pick up my phone normally. To anyone. And I’m now thinking that’s the sanest life decisión I have made …

— emily m (@maitlis) March 27, 2022

And it struck a chord with many people. Here are just a few of the responses it prompted.

https://twitter.com/jessicaelgot/status/1508068044723130380?s=20&t=AU8hMvcZsjlQNLKTCzQr2w

I even got a call from a second bona fide bank number interrupting the first call, also saying my card had been used fraudulently. When I said I was already on a call to his colleague, he said “Oh great. Carry on with her”. All very convincing

— Sue Allison 💙 (@soopiya) March 27, 2022

Thank you @maitlis for sharing this. It doesn't matter how bright we are anyone can be taken in and it is nothing to be ashamed of. Be on your guard. https://t.co/CyMPLbm0Pl

— Just An Ordinary Bloke (@Unusual_Times) March 28, 2022

I never answer my phone now, Emily. I’m not being flippant, nothing good seems to come of it. If it’s a genuine client, they’ll leave me a voicemail or email.

— Kirsten Mavric (@kirstenmavric) March 27, 2022

https://twitter.com/fascinatorfun/status/1508056840755683329?s=20&t=AU8hMvcZsjlQNLKTCzQr2w

When they tried with me a few months ago, as soon as they realised I’d rumbled them (I REALLY started winding them up), they too hung up…
But not before they called me a “f****** c***”.
Charming.

— Greg Scott (@GregScottTV) March 27, 2022

Thread- ALWAYS hang up and call back to the bank on their definitely known number https://t.co/taGlX4Vp6J

— SydneyPadua (@sydneypadua) March 27, 2022

I had the same – but was suspicious (natural state). So I said I would phone the bank myself, thanked him and hung up. From a different phone- I then phonedmy bank only to discover it had been genuine! So – I guess – phone your bank yourself to check – either way – it’s best.

— Lynne Featherstone (@lfeatherstone) March 27, 2022

I have never ever ever ever been called by my bank. If your bank calls you, ask if you can call them back and call them from the number on their website. A legit call will have no problem with that. https://t.co/1BvLadeA34

— sorrel (@Sorrelish) March 27, 2022

At the age of 95 and asked if she was Mrs xxxx, my mother would answer and say "I'll get her", put the phone down and not return until at least 5 minutes later when the line was dead. Still had her marbles,

— Pat Blair (@PatBlai05255298) March 27, 2022

I had someone call me from Amazon. They were very convincing. As he was talking I got my computer & logged in to my Amazon account & surprise, surprise, no purchase for a huge sum of money had been paid.
There are also HMRC calls that are fake. https://t.co/L5nq5J3K1d

— AM Scanlon (@amscanlon) March 27, 2022

I’m more skeptical. If the caller cannot answer MY security questions they get nothing. Real fraud departments don’t mind you being wary. In fact, they want you to be. Be alert.

— Sir Clive Wismayer 🇪🇺🇲🇹 🇳🇱 🥪 (@CliveWismayer) March 27, 2022

Source Twitter @maitlis