A West Kelowna senior is breathing a sigh of relief after almost being scammed out of nearly $2,000.
Harvey Myers recently received a call from someone pretending to be his nephew. The man on the phone told him he was in a car accident and needed money and even had someone pretend to be a lawyer call him back and instruct the senior on the transfer.
The 80-year-old man went to the nearest money transfer outlet to send the cash. Fortunately, the man working at the counter sensed there was something wrong right away and convinced Meyers not to send any money.
The transfer agent told Global Okanagan News people he’s seen three people attempted to be scammed this way three times this month alone.
He said one of the signs of the scam was the fraudster calling the senior back four times in 20 minutes while he was attempting to make the transfer.
The sense of urgency was a red flag for the man helping the senior. He took the phone from the senior on the last call and said no one would be sending money. It was the last time the man was heard from.
The senior said he learned a very valuable lesson.
“Don’t do any business over the phone,” says Myers.
Comments