CLOVIS, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – A 93-year-old from Clovis was almost scammed into emptying their life savings after an alleged “Microsoft employee” told them that they had been hacked.
Officers say they received a phone call on Dec. 11 around 4 p.m. from a bank employee concerned about a 93-year-old Clovis resident who had withdrawn $35,000 in cash.
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According to police, a patrol officer met the 93-year-old at their home who said they received a message from the “Microsoft Corporation” earlier in the day. The message said their computer had been hacked and included a phone number to call for “assistance.”
After calling the number, officers say the 93-year-old began speaking with a suspect who allegedly impersonated a Microsoft employee. The alleged employee told the 93-year-old they should withdraw the cash from their bank to trick the “hacker” into believing their account was empty.
The caller provided them with a second number to a new “bank.” After calling the second number, the 93-year-old began speaking with a suspect who allegedly impersonated a bank employee and directed them to place the withdrawn funds into their account.