A Bristol, Virginia, resident nearly lost more than $153,000 to a scam driven by text messages that appeared to be from Wells Fargo. Quick coordination among local police, dispatchers, and FedEx personnel prevented the shipment from reaching the scammers.
Here's what to know
According to WJHL, messages appearing to come from Wells Fargo told the resident there were problems with their accounts, including unauthorized charges, and that immediate action was needed. Police said Bristol Virginia Central Dispatch was then notified about the suspected scam.
The scheme escalated into a request for money: The resident was persuaded to obtain a $153,860 cashier's check and place it in an overnight FedEx package addressed to New York City.
Working together, dispatchers, officers, and FedEx personnel were able to identify, intercept, and recover the package. The check was then returned to the victim.
More background
Scams like this often mimic institutions people already trust. When someone receives a text that appears to come from a bank about suspicious charges or locked accounts, it can create immediate panic.
That sense of urgency can push people to act before verifying the message. In this case, the victim was convinced to convert a massive sum into a cashier's check and send it overnight.
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What can be done?
If a text claims to be from your bank, it is safer to stop responding and contact the institution directly using the number on the back of your card or the official banking app.
Consumers should also be wary of any request to move money by cashier's check, wire transfer, gift card, or overnight shipping. These methods are common tools in scams because they can be difficult to reverse once completed.
If a package or payment has already been sent, acting quickly can make a difference. You should contact the shipping company immediately, notify local law enforcement, and alert your bank to give officials a chance to stop delivery.
The police department said in a release, "Once the incident was reported, personnel with Bristol Virginia Central Dispatch and the Bristol Virginia Police Department immediately began working to locate the shipment and prevent its delivery."
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