A scammer made off with nearly $2,400 from an elderly woman after pretending to be a Chase Bank representative. Following a carefully staged phone call, the fraudster convinced the victim to hand over her debit card, which he then destroyed before stealing funds.
How the Fraud Unfolded
The ordeal began with a phone call claiming fraudulent activity had been spotted on the victim’s accounts. The caller warned that a Chase employee would visit her home to collect the debit card as a security precaution. Shortly after, Alberto Stanley arrived dressed professionally, presenting himself as a bank worker. He explained that the card needed to be surrendered due to the suspected fraud, cut it up, slipped it into an envelope, and obtained the woman’s signature.
Unsettled, the victim later went to a local Chase branch and discovered approximately $2,400 had vanished from her accounts. Authorities linked this case to multiple similar scams currently being investigated.
Investigation and Warnings
Using surveillance footage and Flock camera data, deputies tracked Stanley’s vehicle and apprehended him. The signed envelope and cash stolen from the victim’s home were recovered. Since then, officials say other individuals have reported falling prey to nearly identical tactics.
Experts like Adam Klappholz of Zelle emphasize skepticism towards unsolicited calls that create urgency and isolation. He advises double-checking such claims with trusted contacts before interacting with financial institutions via verified channels.
This information is for awareness only and should not be taken as financial advice.
