I Got Scammed

I got scammed last week. It was not by a fancy new AI one either. It was a scam that has been around for a while…one you have ALL probably encountered: The “Unpaid Tolls” Scam. You might have even probably clicked on the link from an email or text, but quickly realized by the misspelling of common words or by the fact that it came from an actual phone number rather than a six-digit short code, that it was not a real toll bill. 

This one was different. It included my license plate number and other personal information, which seemed official. Also, when I clicked on the link, it took me to a .gov website that looked legitimate. I was still suspicious. So, just to be sure, I went straight to Google and found the .gov website where you could pay tolls in that state, and lo and behold.. It matched the link in my text exactly. ‘Great!’ I thought to myself, ‘not a scam!’.

 I proceeded to click the link and it took me to the exact website I had just researched. I entered my credit card information and waited for the transaction to complete. It didn’t go through. I did it again. Once again, I got the “spinning wait wheel” that indicates it’s processing, but the screen just stuck on that wheel and never completed the transaction. My stomach dropped. I knew I had been scammed! 

I knew because I work in tech and I am familiar with what is called, “Credit Card Harvesting”.  It is pretty clever  because the scammers don’t actually charge your card, giving you a false sense of security because no money is taken from the account. You most likely will not call the bank and report suspicious activity or shut down the card. The scammer just gathers the card information, waits a week, and then sells it to someone else on the dark web. 

I instantly felt embarrassed, angry, and frustrated because I consider myself cautious and informed about current fraud and scamming technology. However, this one had me spinning. I couldn’t believe it happened to me. ME!!  I didn’t want anyone to know​. 

skip to where the article left off in the Plantation Times

So How Did They Get Me?

As I looked closer, I realized that they had replicated the website entirely.  It was EXACTLY the same as the official .gov website and everything! However, there was a small detail I missed. The site URL did not start with “https://”. A detail that I had not even looked for. An important detail, because the “S” stands for secure. You will probably start to look for it now…I know I do. Which actually assisted in another situation just yesterday where it could have happened again. There are currently over 1 million scam websites that are designed to mimic legitimate businesses and institutions to steal personal information and money from unsuspecting users. This may seem daunting, but with a few tips, you can stay informed and prevent this from happening to you. 

608 Million People are scammed every year...what happened to me is not unique...we need to talk about it

​1. If you get a link in text…Don’t click on it! Legitimate banks and companies will never send a link to pay on or update an account via text or email. (FTC - Avoid Phishing Scams)

2. If your bank or a company calls you, they will never ask for your account or personal information…they already have it! They will instead ask you to verify with your mother’s maiden name or similar verification questions. If you are worried that it might be legitimate…tell them you are going to hang up and call the bank/company back on the phone number listed on their website. Not a phone number they provide you.

3. A legitimate company will always have “https://”.. The “s” in that URL is essential. HTTP sites are not secure. The “s” means it is a “secure” version of the website. HTTPS uses encryption to protect the privacy and integrity of data transmitted between a client and a server, making it more secure than HTTP. 

While I did have to go through the hassle of turning off access to my card and call the bank and order another one…I was lucky, they did not get access to my money. 608 million people are scammed every year. What happened to me is not unique, but it is rarely talked about because if you have been the victim of a scam, you often feel too ashamed to talk about it. However, when I told my story to others, what I found was that it created a space where they felt comfortable telling me about situations they had experienced or are currently experiencing. Talking about it with others created support that helped me process and rebuild trust. I was not the only one.

The amount of fraud we encounter in our everyday lives can be daunting, but the best way to combat fraud is to stay informed. While I did not want people to find out initially...hopefully, my experience can help others.  If you want to hear more stories from the community, learn more about current internet/financial/healthcare scams, and receive a free resource manual, come to THE BIG CONN event on August 21st at the Manor, where I will be giving a workshop on “How To Spot A Scam” (details in this month’s event section of the newsletter). 

Also, if you have a story you would like to share, anonymously or otherwise, or need assistance/resources now because you or someone you know is currently being scammed, email me at flexandsiege@gmail.com 

Alexya Isanski - daughter of residents and speaker at the Big Conn event on August 21st at the manor.