ORLANDO, Fla. – Shoplifting — it’s forcing major retailers to shut down some of their stores and threatening their bottom line, but there is a secret weapon being tested here in Central Florida.
News 6 Investigator Erik Sandoval uncovered a possible solution for the problem and takes us behind-the-scenes of the latest in loss prevention technology.
Watch the video by clicking here.
Trafficking Cars
From shoplifters to carjackers.
In 2022, more than a million vehicles were stolen and only a fraction will ever be recovered. That’s because many have already been trafficked out of the country.
Our next story from CBS’s Ash-har Quraishi takes us on a search to find them.
Beware of cyber thieves
Seeing thousands of dollars disappear from your bank account is scary, especially when your bank refuses to get your money back.
It can happen to anyone and with any major bank.
News 6 Investigator Mike Holfeld has done extensive reporting on this subject and, along with News 6 Photojournalist Robert Breuer, has worked with dozens of victims who fell for a sophisticated scheme that emptied their accounts.
Each time, the thieves made it appear as if the theft was an authorized transaction.
Holfeld sat down with Louis Bolden to talk about three cases of fraud that ended with tragic consequences and the solutions to prevent you from becoming a victim.
Chase Bank tells retired postal worker ‘We are unable to help you’
Our first story is about a retired postal worker who contacted News 6 to expose the scheme involving Chase bank security imposters.
Robert Wolfe, who now resides in the Villages, lost $11,000 in the text message scheme.
You can read the full story of what happened here.
The Solution
Holfeld said if you receive an unsolicited call or text from someone claiming there has been unauthorized activity in your bank account, do NOT answer.
First, check your bank account to see if there has been any unusual activity. Then, call your bank to confirm they did not send you a text or call.
The bank will never ask you for your social security number or account number over the phone.
“They catch you off guard. It’s that urgency. ‘You’ve got to act now or you’re going to lose all your money,’ and that’s how they trap you,” Holfeld said.
Bank imposters use Bitcoin ATM to steal $21K from Orange County woman
Or next story is about an Orange County woman who lost $21,000 in cryptocurrency transactions orchestrated by imposters posing as security investigators with Bank of America.
The victim told News 6 that the imposters claimed her account was being accessed by people she had never heard of and that she needed to withdraw all of the cash from her account and transfer it to Bitcoin accounts to protect it.
You can read the full story of what happened here.
The Solution
“This conman who is operating offshore is setting you up,” Holfeld said.
Like the previous story, the thief is counting on their victim to make a quick decision out of fear.
In this case, the thief ordered the woman to withdraw money and send cryptocurrency by traveling to a ‘Bitcoin hub’ which can be found in some liquor stores, gas stations and vape shops.
Once the money is converted into cryptocurrency and sent overseas, it’s virtually impossible to track or get back.
Holfeld is in touch with the Secret Service Cyber Task Force which is posting signs on store windows and near the ATM to warn customers of the potential scam threat.
The posters highlight the six common scams used by the conmen including:
- Were you encouraged to send cryptocurrency to repair a virus on your computer?
- Were you told the only way to protect your money was by making deposits to cryptocurrency ATMs?
- Did someone ask you to lie to the bank or keep the reason for your cryptocurrency purchase a secret?
If you have been caught in a Bitcoin ATM scam, contact the U.S. Secret Service Orlando Field Office at 407-648-6333.
Wells Fargo business account ‘tested’ by account takeover thieves
In our final case, a long-time Wells Fargo business account holder fell victim to unauthorized withdrawals and transfers totaling just under $150,000.
Robert Branagh told News 6 he was able to recover about $24,000 that was illegally transferred from his Volusia County business account to a personal account.
The U.S. Secret Service Orlando office believes the account may have been tested by a potential buyer of stolen accounts to see if the account was active.
You can read the full story of what happened here.
The Solution
“It was a stale account,” Holfeld said.
Accounts that hold a lot of money and are checked infrequently are often targeted by cyberthieves.
The Secret Service stresses that anyone with a checking or savings account should check their accounts every day.
If you feel your account has been compromised, tell your bank immediately and report the incident to local law enforcement or the U.S. Secret Service.
If you have any questions or need assistance, email makekendsmeet@wkmg.com or text the words “make ends meet” along with your contact information and the issue to 407-676-7428.
Keep up with new episodes of Solutionaries on the News 6+ Takeover every Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. on News 6 or watch on demand by downloading the News 6+ for your smart TV (Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV).
Solutionaries is a production of the news teams at Graham Media Group stations KPRC-Houston, WDIV-Detroit, KSAT-San Antonio, WKMG-Orlando, WJXT/WCWJ-Jacksonville, and WSLS-Roanoke. On Solutionaries, we’re highlighting the creative thinkers and doers who are working to make the world a better place.
Copyright 2023 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.
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