1. Computer screen flashes, strobe-like. Looks as if it comes from Microsoft (logo seems legit). “Warning: you mustn’t log out or turn off.” That’s exactly what I should do, but don’t.
2. I call suggested number. A woman answers, claims to be Microsoft, remotes my computer, runs some programs. “A Trojan virus in your bank accounts.”
“I will connect you to your bank on a secure line,” she says, “because your phone may be compromised.”
3. The main scammer, who pretends to be an ‘agent’ of my bank and who will stay on the line for the next three hours, says, “Some large charges have been made against your credit card, and you authorized them.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“But we sent you an email earlier today about the charges, and you replied with authorization.”
I check my email. They didn’t.
“Oh, this means the scammers stole your identity and have access to your email.”
4. The bank’s ‘agent’ assures me he is doing everything possible to prevent my losing the sums.
“I want to go to my bank to confirm this,” I say.
“Oh, no. The only person at your local branch who can deal with this has left for the day. Do exactly as I say, or you will lose all that money.”
5. He explains that to prevent the money’s transfer at midnight to the ‘authorized’ charges, I must purchase ‘dummy gift cards’ with my credit card, then read him the IDs and PINs so he can deposit the sums in a new account for me at the bank. His urgency blots out my…
