THE $140,000 NIGHTMARE

The video highlights a couple, Scott and Kate, who lost nearly $140,000 to a sophisticated spoofing scam.

The Hook: A text message alert about a fake wire transfer.

The Deception: The scammers "spoofed" the bank’s actual fraud department phone number, making the incoming call look 100% legitimate.

The Mistake: Scott shared a one-time passcode (OTP) sent to his phone with the person on the line, believing they were a bank representative.

4 NON-NEGOTIABLE RULES TO PROTECT YOURSELF

Scammers mirror real bank behavior to build trust. Follow these rules to stay safe:

1. Never Continue a Conversation You Didn't Start
2. If you get an unexpected text or call, hang up.
3. Call your bank back using the number on the back of your physical card or official statement.
4. One-Time Passcodes (OTP) Are Never Shared… Banks send codes for you to enter, not for you to read back to them.

Anyone asking for a "verification code" over the phone is a scammer.

Urgency is the Scam

• Scammers use fear and speed to stop you from thinking clearly.
• Real banks will pause transactions or lock accounts, but they won't rush you into immediate action.
• "Moving Money" is a Red Flag.   If someone tells you to move money to a "secure account" or send a wire to "protect" funds, it is fraud.

IMMEDIATE ACTION STEPS (IF YOU’VE BEEN SCAMMED)

If you realize you’ve shared information or lost money, act instantly:

Step 1: Call your bank using a trusted number (not the one that called you).

Step 2: Lock everything down. Change logins, disable wire transfers, and freeze accounts.

Step 3: File a report with the FBI at https://www.ic3.gov .

Step 4: Manage expectations. FDIC insurance covers bank failures, not scams. Wire transfers are often permanent.

In 2022 alone, the FBI reported that spoofing victims lost over $2 million in Colorado alone, proving that technology allows scammers to appear as anyone, anywhere.

You can watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/lm_TVFcnUZk

CMC Dataworks, Inc.

NC: (704) 981-1399

www.cmcdataworks.com

www.cmcforensicworks.com