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Scammers Trick Ex-Banker Into Withdrawing Family Funds
12 Nov
Summary
- Victim withdrew $9,600 after a convincing fraud alert phone call.
- Scammers accessed her linked accounts via a shared security code.
- Santander denied refund, citing the customer's completed transaction.
Jessica Metcalf, a former Santander employee from Oxford, Massachusetts, lost $9,600 due to a convincing bank scam. A caller, claiming to be from Santander's fraud protection, contacted her about suspicious credit card activity. The scammer, who knew details of her accounts, convinced Metcalf to share a one-time security code.
The fraudster then instructed Metcalf to withdraw a supposed temporary credit of $9,600 from a branch, claiming it would help catch a fraudulent employee. Metcalf handed the cash to an individual in the bank's parking lot.
Upon returning home, Metcalf discovered the $9,600 withdrawal originated from three of her family's linked accounts, including joint accounts with her fiancé and mother, and a savings account for her children. The bank denied her refund request, stating she had completed the transaction.
Webster police are investigating, with access to parking lot video and a partial license plate number of the suspect's vehicle. Legal action is being considered by Metcalf. Consumer protection experts note that while the initial transfers may be unauthorized, recovering funds knowingly withdrawn can be challenging, but Regulation E might offer protection.
