Lincoln, Nebraska – The Lincoln Police Department (LPD) has reported that a woman was duped into withdrawing significant funds from her 401K savings in response to a deceptive phone scam.
On Friday morning, the police were alerted by a 67-year-old woman who had become a victim of a scam, causing her to lose a significant $52,000.
As per the victim’s account provided to the investigators, she was initially contacted in March about purported fraudulent charges made on her bank account via Amazon. The woman was under the impression that she was communicating with a representative from her bank’s Fraud Department, a man whom she had started conversing with over the phone.
According to the details shared by the LPD, the woman was instructed over the span of two months to withdraw funds from her 401K in order to purchase Bitcoin. She was promised the reimbursement of her money through two checks, one for $51,000 and another for $18,999, which she ultimately never received.
The total financial damage was estimated to be $52,000, with $51,000 being withdrawn from her 401K savings and a further $1,000 from her regular bank account.
In light of this incident, LPD strongly advises the public to meticulously verify information with their respective banks before making any monetary withdrawals or transfers.
Avoiding Scams: An Advisory
The LPD has reiterated that scammers can be very persuasive, often employing tactics that appear entirely genuine. If you find yourself uncertain about the validity of any communication or instruction, it is recommended that you hang up, review the information you’ve been provided, and consult with a trusted individual.
To minimize unsolicited calls, you can register your phone number with the National Do-Not-Call registry by calling 1-888-382-1222 or visiting Donotcall.gov.