Elderly woman scammed by phony bank representative
GUILDERLAND An elderly woman was the victim of fraud Friday when she gave $5,200 to a man who claimed he was a representative of her bank.
Guilderland Police are now searching for the man, who identified himself as Mr. Peterson. He is described as having white skin and a thin build, being about 35 to 40 years old, and dressing neatly.
The man called the woman earlier in the week and said he was a representative of her bank, Investigator John Tashjian told The Enterprise.
He told her he suspected that someone from the bank was stealing from customers accounts, Tashjian said.
"He asked for her account number and balance and, when she told him, he said there was a discrepancy," the investigator said.
The man then asked the woman to help him with the investigation by withdrawing $5,200 from her account, Tashjian said. The man instructed the woman to take a cab to Crossgates Mall and meet him there with the money, Tashjian said.
He told her that the money would be put back into her account, Tashjian said.
"He told her not to tell anyone," Tashjian said. "He was convincing to her. She was trustworthy."
The man waited for her cab in the malls parking lot, Tashjian said. He probably stood back at first, waiting to see if shed show up or to see if police were involved, Tashjian said.
When the man asked the complainant for her money, she asked him for identification, Tashjian said.
"He said it was confidential, top secret," Tashjian said. "She asked for a receipt and he said it would ruin the investigation."
The man then told her to wait and he would send a cab for her, police said. When the cab didnt arrive, she realized she was victimized and called the police.
Investigators are looking through the womans phone records now, trying to locate the man, Tashjian said. Police have had a few phone calls from other residents who the man may have called, Tashjian said. The woman was the only one to be victimized.
"This is an old ploy these guys use. Sometimes they just use the phone book and start dialing numbers," Tashjian said. "I think that’s what he did."
Asked what residents should do, Tashjian said, "If anyone calls asking about your account or personal information, don’t give it to anybody. If you’re suspicious, call the authorities or get a name and call your bank."
Bank representatives dont ask for account numbers over the phone, he said.
Residents who think theyve received a fraudulent call should dial *57 right away, Tashjian said, to trace the call.