Minnesota Hit By Scam Targeting Wells Fargo Customers
Some people are being scammed out of thousands of dollars in Minnesota by criminals who are posing as Wells Fargo. The scammers ask the victims to ship a specific amount of cash overnight to Florida. Unfortunately, people are falling for this.
Financial Scheme Hits Minnesota
Police departments are warning the community about the scam and asking the public to be vigilant so they don't fall for it. A financial institution will never ask you to ship money, gift cards, or help in an investigation. Suppose someone is asking you to send money while on a phone call, hang up and call the institution's number. Don't call the number back that called you; make sure you have the right number for your bank or credit union.
The Duluth Police Department says three people fell for the scam in the Duluth area, being scammed out of a combined total of $48,000. Fortunately, investigators were able to recover the money before they were shipped.
Scammers Using AI
Criminals are also using AI technology and can even mimic a loved one's voice. For example, they can take just seconds of a person's voice and then use it to scam you. They may pose as a grandchild who is in trouble, asking a grandparent for money to help them.
Related: Wells Fargo Abruptly Closes Downtown Branch
Inform your relatives of the scams and new technology. Don't ever send money or gift cards. Visit your local branch of your financial institution to verify any strange requests.
Wells Fargo Offers Tips On Security + Safety From Scams
Wells Fargo says, when in doubt, don't respond. They have a section on their website dedicated to educating customers about phishing scams. If you have been a victim, report it. They also offer enhanced security tools and authentication options. Learn more from Wells Fargo online.
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Gallery Credit: Katelyn Leboff
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