Scammers Try to Take Senior for a Ride
An 80-year-old senior woman nearly fell victim to an elaborate scam involving fraudsters who even arranged an Uber ride to ensure she would go to the bank and wire them money. Fortunately, she recognized the scheme before any funds were transferred.
Travis Hardaway’s mother received a deceptive email claiming to be from Best Buy regarding an appliance installation. The timing proved particularly effective, as her dishwasher had recently broken down and she was expecting a replacement delivery and installation. Believing the email was legitimate, she called the number provided in the message.
The scammers told her she owed $160 for installation—a plausible amount. They then convinced her to install remote administration software on her computer, claiming they needed to assist with payment processing. Once she logged into her banking accounts while the scammers watched her screen, they fabricated an elaborate story.
“They took control of her screen and said they had accidentally transferred $160,000 into her account,” Hardaway recounted. The fraudsters claimed one representative would lose his job over the error and pleaded for her help to return the funds. When she expressed concern about traveling to the bank, they took action: “they told her, ‘No problem, we’re sending an Uber to come help you to the bank.’”
Ultimately, Hardaway’s mother grew frustrated with the process and visited her neighbor’s house instead. There, her neighbor immediately recognized it as a scam. Her son later cleaned her computer, reinstalled the operating system, and changed all passwords, but the incident left his mother feeling vulnerable and questioning her own judgment.
The FBI warns that seniors remain attractive targets for scammers due to their trustworthiness, politeness, and typical possession of financial savings, home ownership, and good credit. Additionally, many elderly victims hesitate to report fraud due to shame or fear that family members will question their ability to manage finances independently.
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