My close call with a scammer

I decided to let Stacey talk to him. Upon his query as to who she was, she patiently and professionally said 'I am his banker, and Rick just closed his accounts.' CLICK and no more Nick... ever.”

We hear so much about scams and how they can happen to anyone.

Here’s a first person account by Storm Laker Rick Wimer, 80, about an incident that happened to him about two weeks ago. Before he knew it, he had all his financial accounts open on his computer, and a sketchy guy named Nick on the phone telling him exactly what to do…

By Rick Wimer

Recently, as I sat down to compose yet another hidden gem of my past, suddenly my computer screen shockingly started flashing a warning in red, white and blue, incessantly beeping with a voice informing me that someone or some entity was attempting to take over my computer.

It gave me multiple written directions on what and what not to do. “Don’t click on anything.” “Don’t close or go back.” “Call this area code 845 number for help.” The continuous beeping and flashing were mind-numbing and sent my normal calm, cool, collected and my technologically challenged demeanor into a state of shear panic.

Through it all to that point, while I chided myself for letting my McAfee protection lapse and intermittently having thoughts and visions of losing everything on my PC, much less having my bank accounts drained, a small voice reached out and warned me not to call the listed number. This may be a scam. I didn’t. Instead, I thought that I would get on my phone, look up and call Microsoft Customer Service for directions.  

With my hands shaking, and the non-stop beeping and flashing continuing and on and on, I finally located a Microsoft number to call. Called it and surprisingly it was answered almost immediately. Usually, you get put through a series of voice mail option before you exhaustingly get a real human to talk to.

Nick: “I can solve the problem if you do exactly as I say”

A man answered who eventually identified himself as Nick. He had an accent, and his phone line was statically cutting in and out. This added to the unnerving beeping and flashing just made matters more stressful. Slowly but surely his line cleared up and our conversation proceeded. His voice was professional and calm as he told me that “we have had a lot of the same calls this morning.”

He listened intently as I disjointedly explained my situation to him. He assured me that he could solve the problem if I did exactly as he directed. After a bit more of conversation, the warning alarm, interestingly and finally ceased, and I had quiet access to my desktop again.

At that point, again after his instructions to do everything exactly as he instructed, and as I gave him control of my computer, I was still very uneasy, and I told Nick that I couldn't help but feel like this was a part of a scam. I did this very often throughout this whole ordeal and he calmly explained that he understood, and, in the end, I would understand and would have a smile on my face again.

He then opened and reviewed what seemed to be, section by section, all the data in my system.  At a point, he pulled up a report that showed that from Feb. 5, there had been over 6,500 unsuccessful attempts to hack into my system, including this one. Lastly, he shows me two bogus Apple systems in California that were present in my data explaining that they were responsible for all the previous attempts, up to and including today.

At that point, Nick assured me that If I followed each of his directions, exactly, he would be able to get rid of the Apple apps and return my computer to a safe and secure position. And while my anxiety level had by then lowered maybe five percent, and my mind was still internally questioning whether this was a scam or not, I continued.

Nick: “Open your checking, savings and credit card accounts”

While still monitoring my page, he instructed me to open my checking, savings and credit card accounts. I did so with my usernames and (despite being concealed) my passwords. The purpose was to verify that the accounts were still current and hadn’t been hacked. They were untouched. However, my anxiety level still asks him to assure me that he was not a scammer. Which again, he calmly convinced me he was legit.

He then asked me if there was a Walmart here and how far away it was and how long would it take me to get there? I advised it was about 15 minutes, maybe 20 once I changed my clothes. Nick then admonished me to write everything down exactly as he told me. I hesitantly obliged. First, I was to go to the Walmart parking lot and call him the moment I got there.

Next, he instructed me to go in and buy two $500 gift cards. I thought he said Apple Security cards, but my memory has momentarily failed me. Next, I was to tell the clerk that they were a gift for a friend so they would not charge me sales tax.

Lastly, I was to go back to my car and call him. At that, I’m sure within the deep inner depths of my mind I was saying “that’s odd,” just not loud enough. Nick then asked me to read it all back to him and upon doing so, repeating “call me when you get there.” We ended the call.

Off to Walmart, and, a fib

I changed my clothes rushed to my Jeep and departed my driveway in haste. In such a state of anxiety and panic that, and not fully paying attention to where I was going, I made a wrong turn and proceeded to drive the next mile or so driving away from Walmart instead of toward it.

Somehow, as I was on the right road to Walmart, I briefly and momentarily got ahold of my senses. I realized that I had left home leaving my computer on with Nick still having access to it. I called Nick and advised him that I was on my way, thinking that he wouldn’t do anything to my system if he knew I was still on track to get the credit cards. Maybe this was a scam, maybe not.

I immediately sped back home while considering what my next move in this scenario was going to be. By the time I got there, I had come to my senses and realized I truly was being scammed. On my way back home, as a delaying action, I called Nick again and advised him that I had a flat tire, and my wife would be leaving to pick me up in about 15 minutes and take me to Walmart.

Help from Ryan at Rebnord

By the time I got home, I decided to call Rebnord Technologies in Storm Lake who had previously helped me with a programming issue when we first moved here. Have I mentioned that I’m technologically challenged? Trust me, you have no idea as to the extent of it!  

Ryan at Rebnord told me to immediately unplug my laptop and to bring it to him. He told me that it was, indeed, a scam because Microsoft does not do anything by phone. I took him my laptop immediately. As a delaying tactic, I called Nick and told him that my wife was getting close, and I would be at Walmart shortly.

I kept thinking that if I continued to communicate with him, he would be less apt to do anything with my system until I had purchased the credit cards and completed his ultimate instructions on what to do with them. He ended the call with “God bless you Rick.”

Upon arrival, Ryan asked some technical questions. He told me that everything that Nick had demonstrated to me on my account was fake and just part of the scam. I left my laptop with them to purge it of all the bad stuff. He advised me to call my banks and credit card companies and put an immediate hold on my accounts. Fortunately, I only have one of each. He also advised me to fill out a report at the Storm Lake Police Department. I called the credit card company from the parking lot, they put a hold on it and advised that there had been no recent action on the account and verified my balances were correct.

And now, to Central Bank

I decided to personally go to Central Bank and after confirming no activity on them, have Stacey Meyer close my accounts and set up completely new ones. Afterwards while we were chatting, Nick called again. I told Stacey that it was him and she offered to talk to him.

My intention was when all I had to do was done, I would take Nick’s last call and until he would abruptly hang up on me, read him the riot act, even using some profane words that I don’t ever use.

However, I decided to let Stacey talk to him. Upon his query as to who she was, she patiently and professionally said “I am his banker, and Rick just closed his accounts.” CLICK and no more Nick... ever.

A report to Officer Lane

I left the bank and went to the SLPD to file a report. I met with officer Thomas Lane who spent a good deal of time with me, not only putting me at ease, but also gathering all the information about my ordeal. We concluded that since I had not lost anything, other than some mental stability, there would probably be no point in filing a complaint. I agreed and thanking him for his courtesy and his time, I left with warm feelings about our SLPD.

During all the time I was doing this, Nick repeatedly called asking me of my status. I told him I was still waiting for my wife and ultimately, that I was finally on my way. (As I was pulling into Rebnord’s parking lot). But he kept calling and calling, that all went unanswered until the final call at Central Bank.

Overall, I am astonished and somewhat embarrassed about my gullibility in this entire experience. However, we should all be aware of how persistent, well scripted, how thorough the technology and how compassionate and believable these scammers are in their attempts to relieve us of our hard-earned money and whatever else they attempt to relieve us of. In addition, the process of getting everything restored to my computer system for the technologically challenged me can over tweak our mental capacities. I can’t begin to tell you how many usernames, passwords and pins I have had to change. It’s incredible.

Early on, had I just followed my wife’s input to just unplug my computer, it could all have been avoided.  

Be safe and cautious out there!