SouthernWorldwide.com – Your loved ones might be standing at a bank counter right now, about to send money to a stranger. The voice on the other end might sound calm, authoritative, and urgent, but it could easily be a skilled scammer who has already dictated their lines.
The FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report reveals that reported losses from internet crimes surpassed $20 billion. Furthermore, the FTC indicates that impostor scams remained the leading scam category in 2025, with reported losses escalating to $3.5 billion.
These figures are indeed alarming. However, the true narrative often begins with a single phone call.
Darius Kingsley, Head of Consumer Fraud and Scam Prevention at JPMorgan Chase, recently joined me on my CyberGuy Report podcast, available at CyberguyPodcast.com. He provided an insider’s perspective on how these scams operate from within the bank, shared how tellers identify red flags, and offered advice for families to prevent their money from vanishing.
Kingsley explains that scammers frequently employ tactics that instill fear and a sense of urgency. A common strategy involves impersonating law enforcement or other trusted authorities.
“What they’re going to do is they’re going to bring urgency,” Kingsley stated. “One of the most common scams when you get someone on the phone is law enforcement, so you think you’re talking to the police.”
This manufactured authority can paralyze even intelligent individuals. The caller might reference a legitimate agency or even use the name of a real officer. Once fear takes hold, the scammer begins issuing instructions.
By the time a victim reaches a bank branch, the scammer may have already prepared a script. “They will have coached you,” Kingsley noted. “They will have told you already what it is you need to say.”
This script can include a fabricated reason for the withdrawal, such as home renovations or assisting a family member. Scammers might also warn the victim that the bank will ask probing questions.
Even more insidiously, some scammers attempt to convince victims that the bank itself is complicit. “They may even tell you that the bank is in on it,” Kingsley revealed. This deceitful tactic can make a helpful bank teller appear suspicious to the victim, thereby hindering efforts to stop the scam.
If a teller initiates a conversation during a substantial withdrawal, it might feel intrusive. Kingsley emphasizes that there’s a valid reason for this. Most transactions are legitimate; people withdraw cash for various reasons like paying contractors, helping family, or personal needs.
Therefore, bankers cannot automatically treat every unusual request as a criminal act. Instead, they look for subtle indicators. Kingsley mentions that bank staff might observe individuals who appear nervous, are constantly on the phone, or provide a story that begins to unravel.
“We teach them to look for things like people maybe being on the phone at the same time, or just seeming very nervous or their stories falling apart,” he said.
That interaction at the counter could be more critical than you realize. It might be the final opportunity to halt a wire transfer, cash withdrawal, or other transaction before the funds are lost. So, if your bank asks questions, try not to take it personally. That moment of inquiry could be your safeguard.
Many people still envision a scammer as a lone individual in a basement operating a phone. Kingsley acknowledges this can occur, but the more significant current threat involves organized scam operations based overseas.
He highlighted scam compounds in Southeast Asia, where criminal syndicates exploit trafficked individuals to target Americans. “They take their passports and the office building has barbed wire around it, and they’re stuck,” Kingsley described.
This detail is profoundly disturbing. It suggests that some individuals making scam calls may themselves be victims of brutal criminal networks. Kingsley noted that these operations can be linked to cartels, drug traffickers, or arms dealers.
The illicit funds are typically moved rapidly. Once a victim transfers money, scammers often funnel it quickly through various accounts and across international borders. This is why swift action is paramount in the aftermath of a scam.
The most effective way to thwart a scam is before any money changes hands. This necessitates that families remain vigilant for behavioral changes, not just suspicious emails or links.
Kingsley advises relatives to pay attention when someone suddenly becomes secretive about finances, rushes to the bank, or becomes defensive about a transaction. “You have to kind of notice or observe people getting defensive,” he urged.
Additional warning signs include a loved one remaining on the phone while en route to the bank, refusing to explain the need for cash, or exhibiting unusual stress related to a payment.
Crypto ATMs present another significant red flag. If someone is inserting cash into a cryptocurrency kiosk while following phone instructions, treat it as an emergency. Avoid shaming them. Calmly interrupt the transaction and then assist them in contacting their bank using the number on the back of their card.
If you suspect that you or a family member has sent money to a scammer, act without delay. Procrastination can diminish the chances of recovery.
“The best thing you can do is act immediately,” Kingsley emphasized. “Contact your bank immediately.”
This immediate call is crucial because banks may, in certain circumstances, be able to freeze or trace the funds. While there’s no guarantee of recovery, time can make a significant difference.
Kingsley also strongly encourages victims to file a police report and report the scam to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov.
“A lot of people don’t do that step,” he observed. While reporting might not immediately recover the money, it aids law enforcement in understanding the scope of the problem and linking various cases.
Implementing a few straightforward protective measures can significantly reduce the likelihood of scammers pressuring you or a loved one into a costly error.
Log in to your bank account and confirm that fraud alerts are enabled. Utilize text, email, or app notifications for significant withdrawals, transfers, and card activities. Kingsley stresses the importance of this basic step. “Go in and check and make sure your fraud alerts are turned on,” he advised.
Activate two-factor authentication (2FA) for your bank, email, and financial applications. This additional layer of security can thwart criminals who manage to obtain your password. Whenever possible, use an authenticator app. While text-based codes offer some protection, they can be vulnerable if a criminal gains control of your phone number.
Inquire with your bank or brokerage if you can designate a trusted contact. This individual cannot conduct transactions on your behalf, but the bank may be able to reach them if something appears amiss. Kingsley mentioned that Chase offers trusted contact options for both deposit and investment accounts, and other financial institutions may provide similar services.
Establish a private family code word for urgent financial requests. If someone calls claiming to be a grandchild, police officer, or lawyer, ask for the code word. If they cannot provide it, hang up and contact the family member directly using a trusted, pre-existing number.
Scammers often enhance their credibility by possessing your name, address, relatives’ information, or other personal details. A data removal service can help scrub your information from people-search websites and data broker lists, making it more challenging for criminals to construct a convincing narrative around you or your family. Explore my top recommendations for data removal services and receive a complimentary scan to ascertain if your personal information is already exposed online by visiting Cyberguy.com
Scammers abhor delays. They aim to compel victims to act impulsively, before they have a chance to think critically. Therefore, establish a simple family rule: no wire transfers, crypto payments, gift card purchases, or large cash withdrawals should occur based solely on a phone call. Hang up. Contact your bank. Call a relative. Then, make your decision.
If a loved one indicates they cannot discuss a financial request, take this seriously. Scammers frequently instruct victims to conceal the transaction from family, bank staff, or law enforcement. Legitimate government agencies, banks, or law enforcement offices will not demand secrecy while urging someone to move money.
Contact the bank immediately. Subsequently, file a police report and report the scam to IC3.gov. You can also report fraud to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Here’s the most crucial point: falling victim to a scam does not indicate foolishness; it signifies being human. These criminals are adept at exploiting fear, shame, and urgency. They know how to sound authoritative and how to pressure individuals into action before others can intervene. Kingsley’s advice underscores a simple truth: your family’s most robust defense might be a single, honest conversation before the phone even rings. Discuss the warning signs. Establish a code word. Agree that no one will move money under duress. Because the moment someone you care about is standing at that bank counter, the scam may have already taken hold.
You can listen to my complete discussion with Darius Kingsley on the CyberGuy Report podcast at CyberguyPodcast.com, where we delve deeper into how these scams unfold within banks and what families can do before their money disappears.
Have you or someone in your family ever felt pressured to move money by a caller who sounded official, but turned out to be a scammer? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
