One California woman thought she was protecting her money — but ended up wiring $54,000 to a scammer instead. Now she’s sharing her story as a cautionary tale to help others

Scammers fake caller IDs with spoofed numbers

The woman said her trouble started when her Facebook business page was suddenly taken down. She found what appeared to be a customer service number — a red flag, as Facebook does not offer phone support — and called for help.

The person who answered said her page was hacked and now her bank account was at risk — and said they'd call Golden 1 Credit Union on the woman's behalf to help protect her.

Shortly after, someone who claimed to work for Golden 1’s fraud department and who identified himself as 'Patrick' called her. The caller ID made it look like he was with the credit union.

In fact, the scammers had spoofed the phone number with a false description so that 'Golden 1' would show up on the caller ID.

'Patrick' claimed someone was trying to withdraw $54,000 from her account. He said she needed to wire $54,000 to a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) account.

She followed his instructions. That's when she got a real call from a woman who legitimately worked for Golden 1’s fraud unit.

“I said, ‘Is there someone who works there named Patrick?’ And she said, ‘No,’” the woman recalled.

“And that’s when the whole thing unfolded that I had been defrauded of $54,000.”

The scammers actually "helped" her recover her Facebook business page, likely as a way to build trust.

But as for the money? She told reporters she doesn’t expect to get it back. The FBI, FTC and financial institutions involved in the transfer are now investigating the wire transfers.

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How to avoid sophisticated scams

The scammers were sophisticated and deliberate. They built both a sense of trust and urgency. Here's how to protect yourself from increasingly convincing scams.

Don't trust caller ID

Scammers can spoof phone numbers, emails and websites to make them appear real. Don't assume they are. Research the real contact information to confirm they’re legitimate.

Never wire money to protect your funds

No legitimate financial institution, government agency, law enforcement organization or fraud department will ask you to wire money to safeguard your account. Most accounts are already protected under federal regulations and your bank can often stop suspicious withdrawals before they’re processed.

Know how organizations handle phone support

Facebook does not offer live phone support so if you are urged to call a number for Facebook help, it’s likely a scam. Be equally suspicious of phone calls from the FBI or FTC. Those organizations are unlikely to call you.

Don't give out personal information on incoming calls

Even if the call seems legitimate, hang up and call back using a number you’ve looked up yourself — like the one on the back of your debit card. Remember, incoming numbers and caller ID information can be manipulated.

Still suspicious? Visit your bank in person

If you’re worried about your bank account, visit a branch and talk to a real person. A bank employee can help protect your finances and is likely familiar with common types of bank fraud.

Ask a trusted family or friend for help

Scammers often try to isolate their victims and tell them not to talk to anyone else. That should always be a red flag. If you suspect you’re being scammed, speak with a loved one. They can help you spot scams and provide a second opinion.

If you are scammed, file a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and the Internet Crime Complaint Center website, IC3.gov. Alerting your bank immediately may improve your chances of recovering funds.