SCAM ALERT! I'm starting the new year with an ELABORATE "vishing" scheme (like phishing, but via a voice phone call). The call came from what appeared to be an Irving, TX phone # & the caller ID said "Bank of America." The caller reported that a new BoA account had been created and linked to my account(s). Then two payments were attempted ($1986.63 and $1500.24), and initiated by a "Louis Castro" of Florida (new account holder).
I asked: "What are the last for digits of my account that's linked to this new account" - he couldn't answer that. Instead he said, "the new account # that's linked is: BOA7759877."
Finally he gave me another 888 number to call to resolve the fraudulent charges. I said, "Wow - let me login to my BoA account online & take a look at those transactions. Agent: "Those 2 transactions are currently in a "suspend" status while we track them down, so you will not see them when you login." HMMmmm.....
[[scratches head]] I thought:
- Why do I have to call a separate toll-free number to resolve?
- Mr. Castro's new account number looks *nothing* like any of the other BoA accounts that Mike & I have, and
- Any/all new transactions in any of my BoA accounts DO show up instantly, but are always flagged as "Processing" for 24-48 hrs.
While logged into my BoA account, I located the 800# for their fraud/security department & shared my story with the agent. They agreed that it was a rather elaborate attempt to scam me, and that no such transactions are anywhere in their system for my accounts. She confirmed that I had not given the caller any personal or account info over the phone (which I had not).
Be careful out there.