More bank / phone scam CYA info. Yes, it CAN happen to you.

[Ace-Garageguy]

 

[Brutalform]

It’s amazing of all the BS you have to go through today, just not to get ripped off. I have my credit with the three bureaus frozen. Not answering any calls you receive is important now more than ever. If the number isn’t in my contacts, the call is silenced, and deleted. I know some people like to play games with these scammers on the phone, but the idea is, to keep them thinking your number is inactive. So if you answer a call, that isn’t in your contacts, you just gave the scammer the first piece of info they need to continue to get more info. Going to definitely add the extra safeguards explained in the video as well. 

[1930fordpickup]

I asked my bank if they could block all large transactions online. Nope. 

[Beans]

5 hours ago, 1930fordpickup said:

I asked my bank if they could block all large transactions online. Nope. 

My bank has a couple of safeguards.  I can set my notifications to let me know when a transaction over a certain amount happens and to confirm with me prior to any very large transactions.  Of course that just means they will call me and ask.  

The "easier" and "more convenient" banking is, the more easily it can be hacked and scammed.  The never ending spiral of bank and personal countermeasures and criminal work arounds continues to infinity it seems.  I never really hear about scammers being tracked down and caught.  

[Volzfan59]

Like @Brutalform and others, if a number is not in my contacts, I don’t answer. Simple as that. Thankfully my credit union has a set amount that can be spent daily, $500.00 I think. If going Christmas shopping or something like that it can be bumped for that day. Kind of annoying to have to jump through that hoop, but I appreciate them doing that. Oh, they don’t approve any transactions involving overseas card processing either. 

[stitchdup]

i always answer, but i also have a whistle nearby. they only call once

[mcs1056]

Someone snagged my wife's credit card. 

Whoever it is, they spend less than she does, so I left it be. 

[Dave Van]

I have my credit locked at all 3 reporter's. 

I get email alerts for all transactions other than those from bill pay. 

I do not do any banking on cell.

I have all of his suggestions in place. 

I will add never use a debit card anywhere you do not do regular biz. Use a CC while traveling. 

 

[Brutalform]

2 hours ago, mcs1056 said:

Someone snagged my wife's credit card. 

Whoever it is, they spend less than she does, so I left it be. 

Hahaha! 

[peteski]

On 12/3/2025 at 10:47 AM, stitchdup said:

i always answer, but i also have a whistle nearby. they only call once

Maybe so, but not sure how you can guarantee that (since the caller IDs are randomly generated by the scammers so you won't know that they, or one of the many other scammers in that group call again). But even if their ear hurts (which is doubtful because even a whistle will not be that loud on their end coming out from a tiny headphone), they will mark your number as active and sell it to many other scammers.  I doubt they put a "whistler" warning on that list.  You are much better off not answering.

 

But if whistling makes you feel better, then keep on doing that with all the scammer calls.

Edited 10 hours ago by peteski