Support Elderly Victim of $90,000 Microsoft & Chase Scam

Let me start by saying Thank You! Thank you for taking the time to read my story and thank you for your help whether it be financial, with prayers, or simply spreading the word of my story. It has never been easy for me to ask for help as I have been the one people would seek out for help. However, I write today asking for help!

Unfortunately, my story is one you hear about but never know anyone it has happened to. I am hoping that putting this out here helps others avoid what I have lived through.

In January of this year, I became the victim of an elaborate online scam. I unknowingly clicked on a link that gave hackers access to my computer. In turn, they contacted me via my computer under the guise of "Microsoft." I was told that my computer had been hacked, but that they were already working with Chase to help me. They also told me that the FTC and the FBI had been contacted to help bring down hackers. Credentials were supplied to me that were so convincing that I put my trust in people I shouldn't have. A person claiming to be part of the Chase Fraud department contacted me, and that was to be my contact person. This person, "Robert," worked on building trust with me and assuring me he was here to help. Robert told me that they were working with Microsoft to catch the hackers. He informed me that it looked as though it was an inside job through a branch and I should not go into a branch or talk to anyone about this as they didn't want to alert the hackers we were on to them.

At this point, I was worried about the funds I had been building on over many years. Robert informed me we would need to create a new secure and protected account, and in order to do this, I would need to withdraw my funds, which included selling stocks. Writing this now, I can't believe I didn't question this sooner, but at the time, they played off my fear of having my privacy (told me hackers were watching and listening to me) and losing all my money. I was instructed to withdraw funds at several different branches around town over the course of two days. I was then instructed to deposit this cash at various bitcoin ATMs around town. The directions were so explicit and detailed, and I was convinced I was truly dealing with Chase. It was emphasized not to talk to anyone about this.

It wasn't until I had a deposit delayed and was going to have to delay a visit to my daughter and her family that I shared this with my daughters. They both told me that I was hacked, but not how I thought. I then went into a Chase branch and spoke to a manager who explained to me this is a scam that happens almost daily to senior citizens. I never thought I would fall for this, but they really made me feel like they were actually helping me. While I am the one that withdrew the cash and deposited it into bitcoin, I really wish that Chase had been more alert to the activity on my account. I was coached as to what to say to tellers. I told them I was remodeling and had a friend who was the contractor. I also said I was making an investment. However, if that was really happening, you would think that a teller would question why I needed to go to multiple locations on multiple days. Before I entered a branch, Robert (supposed Chase Fraud) would tell me exactly what to say.

Once I realized how badly I had been defrauded, it was too late to recoup anything. This entire situation has cost me around $90,000 and weeks of legwork filing fraud charges and police reports. I was living with hackers watching me through my computer as they would randomly access my camera and view into my apartment. Let me reiterate, I was told not to tell anyone, including my family. They made sure I was isolated and played on my loneliness, but my inclination to trust people in major institutions. Remember, I truly believed I was working with Microsoft and Chase Fraud. It took me years to build up the funds I had and was counting on those to live off of and use for emergencies. My actual life savings is now gone.

While I would appreciate any help building my savings back up, my other goal with this is to educate people so that someone you love doesn't encounter this. Remember, if you get a message on your computer, do not click on it. Microsoft doesn't contact you, and they also do not put you in contact with your bank. VERIFY in person if you are told you have been hacked. If they tell you not to tell anyone, immediately alert someone. My daughter helped me with Chase, and we have also filed reports with the Noblesville Police Department, the FBI, and the United States Postal Inspector since one withdrawal was mailed as a cashier's check. Unfortunately, these agencies seldom contact you about a case like this since so many of these happen and since the hackers are probably outside of the United States.