NEW?GLASGOW - Millie Johnson never imagined she'd become a fraud victim, but the New Glasgow woman found herself squarely in that situation Monday night.
Johnson was relaxing at home when she got a call around 7:20 p.m. from Western Union.
"This woman said her name was Melissa and wanted to know if I'd authorized any money being taken from my account," Johnson said. "She said someone had authorized a $514 wired payment from my account. Western Union had already taken the money out of my account, so something must have come up as a red flag, and that's when they contacted me."
The Western Union employee had all of Johnson's contact information, including her unlisted phone number and address.
Johnson acted quickly, calling her bank to freeze her account and reporting the incident to New Glasgow police, who have launched an investigation to the matter.
But she's still wondering how this could have happened. She says the situation has left her feeling vulnerable and wondering how secure her banking information really is.
"They couldn't tell me how they got into my account," she said. "What's the point in having pin numbers and passwords if they can get into your account?"
Johnson is lucky, as far as victims go. Western Union promised to return her money - in time. It could take up to five business days for that to happen, however.
That's frustrating for Johnson, who had earmarked those funds for bill payments and rent payments.
"That's a big chunk of money," she said. "I work hard for what I've got and for someone to go and take it from under your nose - it's frustrating. I have rent and bills to pay, and now I've got to call someone and say I can't pay, through no fault of my own, because Western Union says they won't return the money for a couple of days."
Johnson met with representatives from the local Scotiabank branch Tuesday morning to look into the matter and set up a new account. The branch has since launched its own investigation, which it plans to fast-track.
New Glasgow Police are also investigating the incident, says Const. Ken MacDonald.
"The bottom line is that somebody must have gotten a hold of her personal information - she's lucky she's not out that money," MacDonald said. "It very easily happens these days."
One of the biggest targets for fraud centres around the disposal of personal information these days.
"Everyone thinks twice if they're asked for information over the phone or the Internet," he said. "But they don't often think about disposing of their information. People should shred everything."
It's also important to keep a close eye on bank and credit card statements so people know as soon as possible if they're a victim of fraud. MacDonald also suggests that people check their credit regularly for any red flags and changing their banking information immediately if they misplace their debit or credit cards.
"It can happen very fast - it's better to be safe," he said.
VICTIM OF FRAUD
VICTIM OF FRAUD
- Published on October 7th, 2009
- Published on December 30th, 2009
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Jennifer Vardy Little
Fraud victim left feeling vulnerable
- Number of views : 3503
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Comments
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- Harvey
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:40:10
The Nobel Prize for science won by a man born in Amherst who lives in Halifax and Wallace, hardly worth a mention. Perhaps there is a pumpkin carving contest that the News can cover for tomorrows front page.
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- Mildred
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:33:00
Only the News would have this story on its front page and a Nobel Prize winner on page five. At least the paper is great for bird cages.
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- James
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:26:54
The mandate of any local newspaper is to publish local content. Want national/international news to lead? Seek news media sources with a global focus.
There are far too many small towns and communities out there in our Country that do not have a local news and information source. -
- Too Much Paper
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:12:18
Considering the banks (I too am @ Scotia) send out so much bloody paperwork every other week to their customers, its no big shock someone can get their hands on one's information so easily. Do banks offer the option to NOT receive mail? I'd be signing up for that!!
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- Someone
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:07:57
Apparently the comments forum doesn't like the greater than sign.
'Nobel Prize (Shift-Period) This' * -
- Al
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:02:08
This is a major problem for people. I have had my bank card compromised twice and used once to withdraw funds. Even though the funds were taken out of the same bank I deal with I still had to wait 5 business days to get my money back. Very frustrating at the time. I follow the Evening News as I am from New Glasgow.
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- MadinthePeg
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:56:41
Have you ever thought that maybe just maybe this woman put her story out there to try to avoid the same thing from happening to other people??? This place hasn't changed at all, small minded people would rather hear about the nobel peace prize on the front page..go figure. I guess no one cares until it happens to them pffttt.
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- kevin
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:51:34
ok im wondering why i got my comment deleted as it was true and useful to other people is it because it had SCOTIACARD in the sentence?? come on for pete sakes
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- Media
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:08:51
Did it occur to you complainers that although winning a Nobel Prize is a big deal for some, having money stolen from an account is a story that touches the pulse of more people. Basically everyone.
I can guarantee more people will buy a paper with a fraud story on the cover over the Nobel Prize story. Not to take anything away from the prize winner of course, but that story will bore the majority of paper buyers. -
- Someone
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:07:05
Bank fraud happens all the time, hardly front page news.
Nobel Prize This
If people were actually responsible and protected their information, bank fraud incidents would be much lower. -
- William
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:03:40
Mildred you are correct the News does not seem to get the bigger picture nor does it care for content. I have a subscription but ask myself why.
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- Fraser
- - January 18th, 2010 at 11:53:11
I too have had money tried to be taken from me,on a credit card.Maybe this isn't the most pressing story in the world to you,but is certainly is to this woman.Maybe if beople see that it's happening right in their back yard and not just something on the television,it may hit home a little harder and keep just even one more person vigulant to these types of crimes.
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- yea they do
- - January 18th, 2010 at 11:50:32
too much paper scotia back does offer to go paperless i signed up for it and haven't got any paper from them in 2 years!!
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- Steve
- - January 18th, 2010 at 11:44:17
Well, I am surprised to hear this. Im always worried about identity theft. This will make me a little more careful.
Good thing the employee acted the way she did or this could have been a worse story.
Glad to hear it worked out!!! And congrats on your Nobel Prize Millie!!!! -
- Ronson
- - January 18th, 2010 at 11:42:26
Mildred, do suppose the intellectuals from Pictou County would rather read about a Nobel Prize for digital imaging that was awarded in Stockholm or about how a local woman, maybe even some they know, was scammed? Want to know more about the Nobel Prizes, check out www.nobelprize.org. Yes, the winner was born in Amherst, but as far as I know no other locals were in the running. This is a local paper that tries to report things of relevance to locals.
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- Bill
- - January 18th, 2010 at 11:40:09
Madinthepeg, i couldnt agree more with your statement, well said. I feel bad for this lady and it appears to me she is just trying to get the word out so others wont have the same happen to them.
