On Tuesday afternoon my Mum got a text from an unknown number purporting to be from me, but based on the by-line to this week’s post, I think that we both already know that it wasn’t.
“I” was in big trouble and needed money immediately. It needed to be paid to a new bank account, because my old one had been temporarily closed. “I” had a new number because my old phone had been misplaced. And “I” couldn’t answer her calls because “I” was in a meeting.
Mum initially tried to give me a call on my actual number, but because coincidentally I was in a meeting, it went straight to voicemail.
Ultimately Mum, because she was panicked that something had actually happened, because she couldn’t get hold of me and because any parent’s instinct is to do anything for their child, sent a (not inconsequential) sum of money to this person’s bank account before she managed to contact me and we realised what had happened. Cue the sinkiest of sinking feelings.
It was a fairly stressful Tuesday evening, the police were involved, but ultimately Nationwide have managed to recall one of the payments and refunded the other sum. And just a massive shout out to them, we are immensely grateful and will be customers for life.
The second most annoying thing about this whole escapade is that I had written a, half decent, post this week about the historical performance of stock markets through recessions. It was nice and topical and maybe next week.
But, walking home now after Wimbledon 0-1 Crawley (awful) I can’t think about anything apart from my Mum being conned by this parasite. I am furious to a cellular level, I’m sure you would be too.
Worryingly, it seems that whoever this piece of work is, they have company in the gutter. This a common scam and these people will seemingly target anyone, especially the most vulnerable.
Given what I do for a living, Mum and I are both well versed in how to protect ourselves against this kind of thing. I certainly don’t think that either of us would be categorised as vulnerable.
But it happens, and it happened. Knowing the right thing to do, and doing it, are two different things in reality.
These insects are out there and they are constantly chipping away at the door. Sadly, it only takes one moment of stress to let them through.
Four years ago, our family home was burgled.
This was not Ocean’s Eleven stuff, more Harry and Marv. We weren’t dealing with criminal masterminds.
For some reason I feel worse after this.
Burglary is a physical, visceral act. There are fingerprints, footprints, evidence.
In this case we don’t even know where they got Mum’s details.
Ignorance is very much not bliss in this case. We have manged to get the money back, but the feeling remains.
I know that you know this but please, please take a beat before sending money to anyone - particularly anyone who contacts you out of the blue, and especially when you are stressed.
Anyone legitimate won’t mind you calling them up to confirm that the request is genuine, and won’t be rushing you to send money anywhere. If you are unsure, call a trusted third party or your bank - they are there to help.
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