Andy Cohen recounts ordeal of losing money in elaborate scam

Andy Cohen stops by TODAY to share a warning after his experience of having his bank account hacked in an imposter scam. Cohen says the scheme is very easy to fall prey to and wants to spread awareness of how it is presented so that others don't fall victim.
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#andycohen #scam #bank

[@hudawm7]

It takes courage to talk publicly about one is scammed. Thank you Andy Cohen.

[@derick3482]

he is lying dude

[@linger4605]

Courage? 😂. Y'all be throwing out charged words for anything

[@dannymcnamara2554]

@@derick3482Maybe you scammed Andy,thats how you know he’s lying!!👍😂😂

[@Chaim127]

My husband and I was scammed twice last year, totaling losses over $550k. It was a lengthy process involving federal intervention to get our money back. We need more people like Retrievebackteam taking a stand against these criminals. Much love and support from California.

[@jaidenSalinas]

There is immense pain in losing a large amount of money but to garner courage to speak about it says a lot about the person’s great character.

[@Edgardo477]

I got scammed out of my retirement money but I was new to it. thanks for sharing will definitely get in touch with them

[@DrealOtis00]

Thanks for the Info. Got scammed this past week out of 2.25 Bitcoin

[@AnuDinesh-hq7en]

@@DrealOtis00 I was scammed by a platform after completing all the orders, I could not withdraw and kept asking for more money my debt with family and friends increased but *UniversalDispute* managed to get my money back, please be careful of everyone'..

[@AnuDinesh-hq7en]

😢

[@ljohnson1908]

One of the key things he said was don’t get caught up in the urgency. All scammers use urgency to their advantage. Whether they are trying to get your bank information or telling you you’ll miss out on this amazing investment opportunity. Try to walk away and take a breath or even run it by a friend to get their take because they won’t be as emotionally charged.

[@anovosedlik]

True. I think after having so many serious life-or-death experiences, I've become completely immune to time pressure. I never take calls, I always initiate contact when and if I want to. Another benefit is that people perceive me as not being needy, because I'm not.

[@WrvrUgoThrUR]

Get a service like LifeLock so that you have some recourse outside of your bank.

[@bbrands49]

A scammer called my mom and said they were Amazon saying, "a Mac book will be delivered to you in a half hour, did you make this purchase?" .... they tried to scare her into thinking she had a half hour to cancel. As if Amazon EVER calls you to see what you ordered or can tell you you're getting ANYTHING in 30 minutes. Lol😂 Thankfully she thought my dad ordered it and didn't care, and hung up... but I explained things to her bcz she doesn't really use Amazon much.

[@anovosedlik]

@@bbrands49 ...this is why I tell everyone: ACT LIKE YOU ARE A CELEB. People NEED you, not the other way around. On WHAT planet does it make sense that someone wants to give you a macbook, but they HAVE to give it to you asap? Unless it's a time-sensitive bomb, there's no reason someone NEEDS to pass off a laptop to you. USE LOGIC!!!!!! I feel like logic is on short supply these days. Skepticism is crucial.

[@carrieannkouri2151]

I always hang up and call my bank directly when I get an alert. Scammers are getting really good at it.

[@stonew1927]

Good advice.

[@Nurturing2]

Thank you❣️ EXCELLENT advice!!!

[@marietaylor5174]

I never pick up the phone to someone I don't know.

[@rosecitytheaftershow]

Such a good idea!! Hang up and call your bank directly.

[@AMYV3]

But didn’t he just say they forward your calls to themselves when you try to call your bank ? I didn’t get that part. If u are supposed to call your banks number 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@evanetter]

This was very nice of him to get out there and share his story.

[@rondaallen7211]

i bet he lost millions

[@davebruneau6068]

Yeah...most ppl wouldnt broadcast their stupidity like this

[@bethjeans3780]

@@rondaallen7211he wouldn’t have kept millions in a regular bank account.

[@RaymondHng]

@@rondaallen7211 This is just one account that was hacked. He probably has several bank accounts. A client of mine almost had $39,999 transferred out of his one account. Fortunately, the financial institution realized the transaction was suspect and automatically blocked it.

[@JussFoDaLaffsx]

Yeah so nice to take time from ripping off housewives women for profit

[@mailinglist2451]

Andy, I’m so sorry this happened to you. You’re a smart man, but these criminals were conniving on a whole ‘nother level.

[@PP-py]

He aint smart😂😂😂😂😂

[@280SE]

‘not required

[@mainsocial1105]

Thank you, Andy, for sharing this with us! This will help many.

[@jamesraymond1158]

Sickening. Thank you for alerting us to this sort of scam.

[@Sara-mf3px]

Appreciate him sharing the story. If it saves one person, it’s worth it.

[@yvonnecooper5004]

The details were helpful. Very elaborate scheme😢

[@angelnumber2002]

It’s seriously annoying how there’s so many scammers posing as usps, Amazon, your phone company. It’s totally out of control.

[@LinzYoutube]

My boyfriend lost his ID, and the amount of bank accounts that these fraudsters were able to open up UNDER HIS NAME ONLINE was astounding. Why are people able to open up bank accounts online without being VERIFIED first!?

[@calisongbird]

Exactly!!!

[@nancyissa4781]

Not enough t protection for customers just want to make money that the bank job

[@isabellrc]

It truly is unbelievable, yet these animals have found sophisticated ways to destroy people’s life.

[@darloonie9465]

Years ago my purse was stolen. This woman went to Best Buy and bought a computer using my credit card. When the cashier asked for the license she gave my license. The cashier saw that the two names matched but never bothered to check if the the picture on my license matched the person giving it to her.

[@thatssjess9533]

Don't you need a social security number to open a bank account?

[@ca5096]

Please do more of these! Parents don’t believe me when I tell them. Thank you. ❤❤❤

[@gumdrop27]

There are KZbin channels that call the scammers and they can see the scams happening to them without any risks. Also - Scamfish by Social Catfish is real people telling their stories

[@dlfleming80]

This happened to me too. I lost some money but I called my bank immediately and was able to stop the withdrawals before it got out of control. Be vigilant, these scammers are quite sophisticated.

[@TwiceTheListening]

It's great to have this personal story from Andy as a reminder/warning, but they really should've had 1 minute with a bank/cyber security expert to clearly outline the do and don'ts.

[@VideoAmericanStyle]

Most people, sadly, don't listen to experts. They listen to celebrities. That's why this was probably more effective, and kudos to him for doing it.

[@julianachandler2975]

Ugh! So sorry that this happened to you but thank you for sharing

[@jujubees711]

So good of Andy to come forward and alert other people to these scammers. Sorry this happened to you. But thank you for sharing the process, Andy! How scary.

[@Tkrrr]

It happened to me too and I went into the bank and they also told me that if that ever happens and supposedly your bank calls from the fraud department to just hang up & then call back the number on the back of your card

[@conservativetaxpayer]

Thrilled he came forward! No one can say “what they would do”, scammers are out of control. There’s only one way to shut this down, junk email has to go away. No one should be allowed access to us

[@PersonalOPSEC]

Always go to bank if you lose your bank card. The threat actors know more than you do.

[@Universaldispute]

You and your colleagues deserve the highest praise possible. Much appreciation for your excellent *UNIVERSALDISPUTE* Continue the excellent work that you have been doing. Millions of Europeans are grateful to you for keeping them safe from those cruel people. That which you sow reaps what you sow!!!!! Give it to them!! May God reward your kindness for assisting us, the victims...

[@connierichie5336]

Remember to NEVER trust the caller ID. I know exactly how this can happen. I would tell you how it is done here, but I dont want another potential crook to try it. Years ago I was getting calls on my caller ID and when I called the number back, they were baffled. I called the phone company once I suspected how it was done. They put a supervisor on the phone. I asked can this be done like this. She said yes. So do not trust the caller ID

[@kyliedecarter298]

The compassionate and understanding approach of *UniversalDispute* team has been greatly appreciated by all they commitment to continuous improvement and innovation is evident in their outstanding results.

[@carolking6355]

I’ve so nearly been caught. Two emails looked so right. Thank you.

[@btienterprises9306]

It definitely wasn’t a coincidence his email was probably already compromised and once they seen he was getting a new card they could do the plan.

[@SidewalkCitizenLA]

It sounds like bad timing in this case. Under normal circumstances, I don't think he would have fallen for it but he had already lost his card giving the scammer an opening.

[@no-secrets]

The scammers probably stole it and called him knowing he would be more receptive.

[@stanbalo]

I think the SOP is, if u lose a card, just call bank hotline and have it blocked. They prioritize this. At that time, you can also ask if there are transactions that u did not make. If there is none then just wait for the new card to be delivered.

[@kmaddox6857]

Wow, Andy, thank you so much for sharing this with the public. This same thing happened to a friend of mine, as well as her hairdresser! I almost fell for one that involved "USPS" in an email telling me that they -- the post office -- couldn't verify my address to send on a package addressed to me. Then, they wanted $.86 (yes, eighty-six cents!) to cover extra postage. Most people would say, oh, I can pay that small an amount. I almost did, except then I -- as Andy recommended -- took a breath and realized that if anybody knows my address it's the Postal Service! So, I deleted and balocked the email. All this is so scary. I'm going to show this video to people that I know as a warning of what can happen. Again, how wonderful of Andy to talk about this.

[@momma8954]

Your bank won’t email you. Ugh so frustrating.

[@LadyK007]

Banks do e-mail though

[@FreedomofSpeech865]

I almost did that but my daughter overheard my conversation and told me to hang up

[@xanevazquez]

Despite The unnecessary and annoying interruptions or these woman, Andy manage to give his message.

[@jhendin]

After getting a number of obviously bogus emails from companies, such as Xfinity, Norton, PayPal and so on, I noticed very quicky the email addresses were totally wrong, I'm glad Andy stressed that. I would have also liked to have asked Andy if the person that he spoke to had an accent, because the majority of these fraudulent call centers are located overseas.

[@gumdrop27]

Report them as spam so the email provider can flag them for other people.

[@shirleywilliams-hall9437]

This is so important! Thank you so much for talking about this. So sorry for what you went through.

[@westbccoast]

Good video, good reminders, thanks Andy for speaking about this, takes strength and courage

[@ASMR4calmmoods]

Thank you for sharing!

[@SleepyArcticBirds-ft4lb]

Yes Andy…. We listened! Thanks so much for sharing and alerting us to this crime🙏

[@eileendoonan]

wow, what a crazy story, but thanks SO much for sharing your experience Andy to help others - here's one thing that can be a hinderance - you say "call your bank, or call the number on the back of the card"...the issue there is that very rarely anymore do you get through to a LIVE person - it's often a recording of "press 1, or press 2, or press 3"...it's SOOOO hard to get a real person from the bank on the phone anymore - for me, that's a real deterrent on calling my bank - I can never get a human on the other end of the line. Which makes the woman on the other end of YOUR phone call so engaging and probably why you were so relieved - because customer service anymore is terrible and there is the woman helping you - easy to engage in that. Again, thanks for sharing, I am going to play this video for my Mom and my hubby and my kids!

[@stanbalo]

That's one hindrance. If that is the case, go to the bank to report the incident. Im in Asia and thankfully, you can still talk to a person and they prioritize lost card. You can easily have it blocked and ask if there are charges not made by you. If none then just wait for the new card. Also best to use credit card as opposed to debit. You can still contest transactions

[@ADRHYN]

First of all when ever you lose your bank card your bank NEVER CALLS YOU period

[@pattyscake7938]

This literally happened to me two years ago. The way he’s explaining is how this happened to me. Such a horrible violation. 😢

[@rebeccabamford5505]

I know a few of my bank tellers personally. I could even call them as a PERSON and talk to them about this. They know me. That helps but he gave good tips to help ourselves out.

[@bonniefells7585]

My bank card was hacked. I called the phone number on the back of my card. I never click on a link, ever, I call them, I dont let them call me. One thing I learned is how important it is to have a personal relationship with your banker. I went to the bank, and dealt with my banker who knows me for years, know my spending habits and he handled it personally on his end. I learned, that day, how important personally banking relationships are.

[@Nurturing2]

Agree!!! Sadly, things are changing and it’s not as personal as it once was. My dad is 94 and always complains about this very issue. He was so used to having a relationship established with his banker. I think they have been acquired by two different banks. It just isn’t the same. I’m starting to think perhaps I should close all of my online accounts. It really is frightening. 💔

[@truelife974]

Bank cards are never hacked. Someone simply got your card information during one of your transactions. It happens so quickly that you tend to forget where it could have possibly happened. Immediately reporting the card stolen and disputing unauthorized transactions usually solves the problem. Now if they gain access to your account number then you have a big problem on your hands. Don't ever have personal checks associated with your account.

[@leeteplitz7673]

Even I’m smart enough to call my bank immediately! NEVER open any emails that you’re not sure of.

[@1237tnb]

This is insane!!! Thank you Andy!!!!

[@patienceboafo1998]

OMG we are all vulnerable to these scammers

[@jeffro221]

No, we are not all vulnerable. Follow a few simple rules and it won't happen to you.

[@jkfleming]

Scary! Almost happened to my friend!!!

[@francy2127]

Very useful information.. scammers are everywhere… rule of thumb… when in doubt don’t

[@juliebradley6961]

So sorry this happened Andy, you're such a good Guy. 💙

[@hithere1590]

Totally sucks . We’ve all been scammed at some point. Losers!

[@elleschultz969]

This is so helpful. Thank you Andy and the Today show for making us aware of this scam and how sophisticated it can be.

[@magildeny]

Thanks Andy... Banks need to set up policies where you agree that X amount of $ cannot be taken out of your account without a verification code that is sent to your phone or if you wish a stronger measure that a signature and or fingerprint must be allowed for X amount of dollars being taken out of your account. this would help with these type of issues and save a lot of pain, suffering and tears... please implement this NOW BANKS.... thank you

[@ddoubleu170]

Andy, I am so glad you spoke out! This is so elaborate and sinister. It’s so scary.

[@rhonda1505]

Thanks for sharing Mr. Andy! Yes, I go into a slight panic mode when I get scam emails/texts but I never click on links or reply. I close my phone/computer and walk away. Then I report and block. Horrible people who steal $ from hard working victims.

[@karinski58]

I don’t give any information to someone who calls me. I will also not click a link in an email from a bank. I log into my account and look to see if they sent me a message.

[@Starfish2145]

I was once called by a scammer that looked like he was calling from the local sheriffs department. It was a scam involving supposedly not showing up for jury duty. I knew he was a scammer, but he was really good and it’s very common.

[@eden_aumakua]

The first most obvious mistake -> is responding to PHISHING emails. Also my phone is also on Airplane mode.

[@slonecznikdoniczkowy]

I losted my id long time ago. My brother was working at the airport and he called me if I'm traveling? Someone was trying to use my id. It was pure accident that his coworkers letting him know. I don't know what happened to this person, but it was an international flight. Probably faked the passport base on my id. Crazy!

[@jenniferharlow7380]

If you don't recognize a number as well, don't pick it up. Most of those scammers will leave a recording. This gives you a moment to process the situation,not feel under pressure to answer them. I've had so many calls where they tell me, if I don't call them back,I will be arrested. So far I haven't been arrested yet. Glad he is getting the word out. Every scam situation is different.

[@ASmith-jn7kf]

Did you not just hear what he said? Oddly, these people are able to somehow have their number come up as that company.

[@RolanRoyce]

It didn't even seem odd to him that all the people had Indian accents. He was like, oh, they must be hiring a lot of Indian people at the bank now.

[@truelife974]

It's not even that they're hired at the bank. It's a practice called outsourcing. Many of them don't even work for the bank, but for a third party company that acquired a contract with the bank to act as customer service. So these people are far more likely to scam because it's harder to trace them.

[@RaymondHng]

He never said the person on the other end had an Indian accent. A client of mine almost had $39,999 transferred out of his one account. The scammer spoke with a perfect American accent. Fortunately, the financial institution realized the transaction was suspect and automatically blocked it.

[@mkatepaski9947]

He never m3ntioned accent

[@RolanRoyce]

I know, but that means they were Indians, because otherwise he would have said "they didn't even sound Indian, they had perfect English, so how could I have figured out it was a scam" to make himself look better.@@mkatepaski9947

[@RolanRoyce]

Okay, maybe they did sound like normal English speakers, the Indians may be hiring people who can speak normally now.@@RaymondHng

[@interruptingaging]

Thank you for your courage and risk of public judgement in sharing your scam story, Andy! Being scammed can happen to ANYONE, regardless of age.

[@wib7240]

Thank you Andy for sharing …..now I am sharing with my family

[@Arthur-hg7ny]

I can relate constantly telling my elderly parents to be careful. No one is immune.

[@JacobHillgrove]

It’s happened to me twice . But they didn’t ask for money - not that I know off. But they wiped my computers clean and my iCloud. What’s the reason? Revenge ?

[@cyndimanka]

My husband got a text right after getting home from a trip. The person on the other end needed a number and my husband gave it to them and then a lightbulb went off and something wasn’t right. He called the bank and the bank said no we did not do that. That was a scammer. Long story short, they watched the account for days to make sure nothing was taken. He kept having to call in every single day to the bank and ask for his balance to make sure. The scammer didn’t get enough Information to fully go through with his plan but it scared my husband so bad.

[@thatssjess9533]

Why didnt he just close the account?

[@cyndimanka]

@@thatssjess9533 everything we have is tied to that account. It turned out OK. The bank encouraged us not to and said they would red flag anything suspicious. That’s U.S. Bank.

[@REALTOR_MI]

I've fell for a similar scam when I thought I was helping someone they were actually taking my money. You never know who to trust these days. Everyone is money hungry and looking for a meal ticket.

[@kdeloris2225]

When Andy said he was on the phone with the scammer for an hour, my anxiety went up😱

[@LatoyaOKAY]

The energy they put into these scams. smh. Just put that energy into a legit business.

[@jjoh158]

They tried this with me too. I got suspicious when they told me a few things and hung up. They called me back and tried to have me give them a code for on and email they sent me. I know never to give any codes from any email or text to anyone on the phone. I have nowhere as much money as he has but I couldn’t afford to lose what I had. I can’t even guess how much they took from him. That’s horrible.

[@wdh47211]

Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.....

[@mikecole1664]

I’ve heard YOU always need to contact them: your bank, credit card company, etc. with a number you know is legitimate (on card, statement, etc) or go in person.

[@juicesnap]

Never open the hyperlinks/files in the emails from unknown accounts or links that you are not expecting to be sent....

[@dorothyminor7581]

This identical thing happened to me. It changed me forever . Not a trusting for sure.

[@dane6730]

Oh Andy! I’m so sorry but you’re officially a boomer! Never give bank info to people who contact you, never! Always say I call you back and call your bank

[@RaymondHng]

Scammers do not discriminate on the age of their victims. People ranging from the Silent Generation down to Generation Y have fallen for these scams.

[@ladyashephd727]

Overwhelming, too many SCAMS. Its unbelievable and overwhelming!

[@julsjewels3185]

Thanks for letting us know Andy. Thieves are clever.

[@CyberPowers]

WHY didn't he CALL the bank AFTER losing his card and TALK to them about their inquiries by calling them directly? Gosh, these hackers are really good at social engineering. WHY don't they ever HACK the I.R.S.?? Do some good, for a change!

[@magicworld3242]

1st. If you ever get an email or a text message. Do not click on anything. 2nd. Your bank will never call you to ask for information they should already have. 3rd. Don't answer any questions over the phone. It would've taken Andy two seconds to run into his bank and take care of everything in person

[@dwaynejones1555]

Have online banking set up & check often. In addition, set up Alerts for transactions of a certain amount. I do .01 cent or all.

[@pamelawillis2903]

Same exact thing happened to me. Always go into your branch. My scammer was using my banks exact phone number so don’t believe it when they call with that number.

[@riobrasilsambashowssambist1453]

I never respond to emails anyway. If i get my notification as a text then i call my bank. That's the only thing i have ever done

[@jsonoku]

I am never in a rush for anything on the phone. Even sales people who come around. I always tell them I will think about it.

[@adiposerex5150]

Anyone who calls me is rejected by Apple if not one of my contacts.

[@actress29austin34]

Thank you Andy for sharing your story❤ I always call my bank directly or going to the bank branch if i need a new card or to discuss any questionable transactions.

[@우사민-r3c]

If Andy lost his bank card he should have gone directly to his bank in person to report that it was lost and to get it replaced. Never do this type of transaction online.

[@AD59669]

I just dont answer calls, and when I do, I immediately think it's a scammer and treat them like one. I will ask where you are calling and will call back directly. Don't provide anything to anyone over the phone. My kids ask me ,why don't you answer the calls? I tell them that because its probably a scammer, and if its something important, they will leave a VM. We need to make the youth aware of scammers as well.

[@RC-vv6nr]

...thanks for sharing this very scary story. All the best...

[@JGunit]

That's scary

[@theblondeone8426]

omg these scammers are getting unreal

[@jamesbenages649]

No email, no phone. Just walk to your bank and talk to someone.

[@mariakristinahawl1640]

These ladies need to STOP interrupting the interviewee.....

[@Kpictures_NYC]

It’s pathetic that scammers do this to others.

[@Vmath._.]

NEVER click on links sent to you by email or text. Go to the actual website of whomever the email or text is claiming to be from.

[@kathleenm.5633]

Great info! Thank you! This happens so much.

[@carlendialoftin7739]

Just got scammed with a text from the post office. They got me for 3 credit cards. Thanks for the info Andy.

[@daisyelias]

Thank you Andy for sharing!!!

[@user-pq9ji7kt4l]

Get into your car and go to your bank! Never trust phone conversations!

[@quincykeatase3121]

Mr UNIVERSAL-DISPUTE, I might want to thank you in all sincerity earnestly! So many from intense cruel everyday environments that endure and you aiding and giving them something that they frantically need just to make due. I say thanks to God for superb individuals like you that are making the distinctions that genuinely make the biggest difference! God favor you *universaldispute !!!*

[@thenewjs]

I NEVER TAKE CALLS FROM THE BANK OR CREDIT CARD COMPANY. I HANG UP AND CALL THE BANK OR CREDIT CARD COMPANY.

[@charq52]

One benefit of banking with a small, local bank (one mile from my house). I’d just go up to the bank and deal with them eyeball-to-eyeball.

[@runner2008]

This is very good advice.

[@marlinweekley51]

People worry about privacy and security then put their life’s story with details on Facebook! 😳

[@Tisme65]

This makes me sick!

[@bombaybeach208]

If I ever get anything in an e-mail supposedly from my bank I call the bank first to verify. I NEVER go along with unvetted e-mails.