Here’s the lesson: Never, ever believe the wiring instructions you just got sent by email — most likely as a PDF attachment.
Call a human and get them to read the wiring instructions to you over the phone.
Make sure you get the two numbers correct — the bank’s ABA number and the account number.
Yes, over the phone. This one:
Or this one:
The old fashioned phone — cell or landline. With a real person at the other end.
The phone is more reliable than the Internet.
I repeat. Call and confirm the wiring instructions.
Here’s the rub: If your bank sends your money to the wrong place, you have NO CHANCE of getting your money back.
You gave your bank the wrong instructions. Hence it’s your fault.
Kiss your money Good Bye.
Now, to the story.
My friend subscribed to a private deal. The crook sent him an email with an attachment giving wiring instructions.
The attachment was a perfect copy of the document the company had sent — logo, formatting, typeface — with one exception:
The account number was different.
My friend asked the bank who belonged to that wrong account. They wouldn’t tell him. They should tell the FBI, however. Somebody should.
That’s it.
Use the phone. Hear the voice.
P.S. Nobody knows how the crooks pulled this off.
Be back tomorrow — Harry Newton
