A woman in Rockdale County, Georgia, has lost more than $17,000 after fraudsters used a fake computer warning to persuade her that her accounts had been compromised.
The victim, who asked not to be identified or shown on camera, said the incident began when a flashing message appeared while she was using her computer after paying bills.
“It was flashing, saying, ‘Your computer is hacked. Your computer is hacked,’” she said.
When the warning remained after she restarted the computer, she called a telephone number displayed on the screen. A woman who introduced herself as Chloe then passed her to a man claiming to work for the Federal Communications Commission.
The man allegedly told her that almost $3,000 had already been taken from her account and used to make a purchase on a pornographic website. He instructed her to withdraw her money from the bank to keep it safe, promising that it would later be returned and that she would receive a new Social Security number.
Instead, she was directed to send money through a series of transactions. She made two Bitcoin deposits worth $2,500 each in DeKalb County, followed by a $4,000 payment at Walmart using barcodes supplied by the caller.
When Walmart refused to process any further payments, the caller allegedly told her to buy gift cards. She spent about $6,000 on Lowe’s gift cards and a further $2,000 on Amazon cards.
The woman’s granddaughter eventually realised that something was wrong and contacted the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office. By then, the money had already been sent.
The victim said she had recovered some of the funds but believed the Bitcoin payments might be lost. She described the emotional impact as devastating.
“It’s like a death. I feel so bad. I cry. I have my moments. I bust out and cry,” she said.
How to spot a fake computer pop-up scam
Consumer protection officials warn that genuine technology companies do not display security pop-ups instructing people to telephone a number, while legitimate government agencies will not tell someone to withdraw money or transfer it to protect their savings.
People who receive an unexpected warning should close the message and contact the relevant company through a telephone number or website they know to be genuine. They should not use contact details supplied in the pop-up.
Requests for cash, cryptocurrency or gift cards are major warning signs. Anyone who believes they have been targeted should contact their bank or payment provider immediately and report the matter to law enforcement.
The woman said she wanted families to discuss scams with older relatives before they become victims.
“I don’t want nobody to have to go through this ever again,” she said.
