Saved by a Gut Feeling!

The Scam that Did Not Happen! TRUE STORY TODAY!

I just ALMOST GOT SCAMMED on my BOA account. I tried to log in, but it kept asking me for my password. Then, a pop-up came up and said that BOA was calling me to answer the phone because they were trying to contact me about fraud with my account. That someone had withdrawn $609+ from my account was from a strange location and unusual for me.

The caller from a Toll-Free number, 1-888-977-0789, said he would walk me through how to stop the fraud transaction, which I needed to do to ensure no money was taken. He sounded very official and knowledgeable about my account. He told me to go to my browser and type in Servicehelp.com. I did. I was asked for a code, and he gave me 44666 and told me to hit the green arrow. I did.

An alert came up asking if I wanted to let the app change/update my device. My instincts said no, he said yes, I hit no, and my gut said turn off your computer now! I followed my gut. I turned off my computer and heard him screaming don't turn off your computer, no matter what, you don't turn off your computer. I turned it off and asked him to give me his phone number so I could call him back. He said just stay on the line and don't turn off the computer! No. Give me your phone number, and I will call you back. WHAT FOR? I said again, so I can call you back! At that moment, I knew I was being scammed, so I hung up the phone!

I turned my computer back on, went to settings, and deleted all temporary files and cookies.

I called the BOA fraud department, and of course, they did not call me and informed me that they would not. They would send a text message questioning activity, suspend the account until I verified the last few transactions, and either continue with the suspension or release the account.

They worked with me to change my password, reviewed my account, and thanked me for being so quick and proactive in helping me avoid that fraudulent attempt.

After thanking God, I looked at the Toll-Free number and decided to look it up and see where, who, etc. I could learn about it.

Here is what I learned.

It is a spam number. It had been checked out forty-five (45) times in the last 30 days and twelve (12) times in the last day.

Several other 888 numbers were also listed that have roused suspicion. They are listed below with the number of times checked out.

Most frequently searched (888) phone numbers in the past 24 hours.

[phone]
140 searches
[phone]
120 searches
[phone]
38 searches
[phone]
28 searches
[phone]
25 searches
[phone]
21 searches
[phone]
21 searches
[phone]
19 searches
[phone]
19 searches
[phone]
18 searches

Saved by that quiet little voice that kept saying this is not right, and that gut feeling that said, HANG UP NOW! I'm so glad I acted on both.

BE CAREFUL. Ask to call them back. Listen to the tone in their voices (this person got agitated) by my request for his phone number so I could call him back). His tone turned the light all the way on.

SHAKEN!