A 65-year-old man is concerned after spotting an unexpected ACH withdrawal from his bank account to Coinbase, a platform he does not have an account with. His family is investigating potential scams given the withdrawal occurred right after he sold his home.
The man's son reported the $ withdrawal to family members, noting that his father has zero crypto assets. The fact that both Coinbase and the bank have been unresponsive raises further alarm bells.
Despite repeated inquiries, both entities have failed to provide satisfactory answers. Comments from the community reflect a sense of urgency. One person emphasized the need for swift action: "Contact the bank's Fraud Department and dispute the transaction." Another comment humorously added, "Whenever you ask if this is a scam, the answer is always YES."
Comments from various forums highlight crucial themes:
Security Concerns: Commenters emphasize that older individuals are frequently targeted. One user declared, "Seniors are the prime targets for scams."
Preventive Measures: Recommendations for securing bank accounts included lockdown measures. "Investigate who had access recently," advised a user.
Escalation to Authorities: The importance of reporting the incident to local law enforcement was reiterated. "Report it for further investigation it could be critical," another noted.
"If your dad does not have a Coinbase account and there was an unauthorized ACH withdrawal, itβs critical to act quickly," warned a concerned forum user.
As advice rolls in, the family's next steps are crucial. Community members agree on the necessity of disputing unauthorized transactions through official channels. One commenter insisted, "Don't waste time asking for help from those who refuse to help you."
βΎ Take Action: Promptly reach out to the bankβs fraud unit.
β½ Detect Possible Scam: Unauthorized access to banking details is likely.
π― Notify Local Authorities: Reporting to law enforcement could facilitate resolution.
This evolving situation illustrates the vulnerabilities within financial systems today, especially for seniors unfamiliar with digital transactions. The family is also considering legal advice as pressure mounts on the indifferent institutions involved. Reports show that nearly 60% of similar cases escalate to legal actions when responses are lacking.
This incident is reminiscent of past scams targeting older adults, which peaked during the late 2010s. Just like this case, many victims overlooked warnings until it was too late. Heightened awareness was key then, and the current case could spark a renewed push for better safeguards against financial fraud in the cryptocurrency realm.