Scammers impersonating Wells Fargo's fraud department have stolen more than $7,500 from a Florida couple after tricking them into sharing one-time verification codes.
Carmen Evans received a call with a Wells Fargo caller ID from someone claiming to be named Michael from the bank's fraud department. The caller cited legitimate transactions Evans recognized from Sam's Club and Walmart, then mentioned a $3,000 charge she did not make.
The caller instructed Evans to share verification codes sent to her phone. After she provided the codes, Evans lost access to her bank accounts.
When Evans and her husband William visited a Wells Fargo branch, they discovered money had been moved between their accounts and sent out through Cash App using Carmen's linked debit card without their authorization. The stolen funds included approximately $3,000 in savings, a Social Security payment, and paychecks from Evans's part-time job.
The couple faced immediate financial hardship, including obligations for rent and a car payment. They took out loans to cover bills and asked their children for financial assistance.
Evans disputed the unauthorized transactions but has not recovered the funds. The couple has since deleted Cash App and switched banks.
The American Bankers Association notes that banks do not contact customers by phone to request one-time login codes.
