Think you have what it takes to catch a scam? Con-Million the Chameleon is back with another installment of the Rascal Report. The scams and amounts lost in the stories below are real, but the names used are not.
Don’t Tell the Teller
John had been searching for a work-from-home job when he found a remote administrative assistant role online. The pay was great, the interview was done by chat, and he was hired the same day.
A few days later, his new “employer” overnighted him an $8,000 check to buy equipment for his home office.
He was told to deposit it at an ATM and wait for a list of approved vendors.
When the ATM rejected the check, his “supervisor” told him not to go into a branch. They warned that tellers would delay his training by placing holds and told him to keep trying different ATMs.
Instead, John went into the branch and asked for help.
The Problem:
Scammers know tellers are trained to spot fake checks. That is why they push people to avoid staff, use ATMs, and keep details to themselves. Real employers do not send large checks or tell you to bypass your credit union.
The Takeaway:
If someone tells you not to talk to your credit union, that is a major red flag. Scammers try to cut you off from people who can spot the fraud.
Stop the transaction and call your credit union using a trusted number. One conversation can save you thousands.
Love Knows No Borders… But Scammers Do
Linda had been talking online with a man for months. He was kind, attentive, and said he was working overseas in Saudi Arabia. They built a relationship and talked about their future together.
She later took out a $10,000 loan and asked to wire the money to someone she called her niece. She said the niece would pass it along to her father overseas.
As staff asked questions, the story kept changing. The recipient was not family, and the explanation did not add up.
It became clear the man online had told her to route the money through someone else.
The Problem:
Romance scammers build trust over time, then ask for money. They often use overseas stories and push victims to send funds through third parties to avoid detection. Wires, gift cards, crypto, and loan-funded transfers are common red flags.
The Takeaway:
If someone you met online asks for money, pause. A real relationship will not depend on sending funds.
Before you move money, talk to someone you trust or call your credit union. A quick check can protect you from a costly mistake.
Con-Million the Chameleon Says:
Scammers know how to blend in and build trust—whether they’re pretending to be an employer offering a great job or someone creating a fake online romance. They use pressure, secrecy, and emotional connections to get you to move money before you have time to think.
Here’s what to remember:
- A real employer will never send you a large check and ask you to buy equipment or send money back
- If someone tells you not to contact your credit union, that’s a major warning sign
- Online relationships should never depend on sending money or taking out loans
- Urgency, secrecy, and changing stories are all red flags
- Before sending money, stop and talk to someone you trust or contact your credit union directly
When in doubt, pause and verify. One conversation can help protect you from losing thousands.
