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.
Elderly Exploitation
Earl was a retired postal worker who spent his days gardening and sipping coffee on his porch in a small town in Kansas. At 74, his world had slowed down, but his heart remained wide open—especially to his only grandson, Cody. Cody had always been the “wild one,” hopping between jobs and apartments, but Earl believed in second chances—and third, and fourth.
“Grandpa, I just need a little help until I get on my feet,” Cody said, standing in the kitchen one afternoon. “$1,200 should cover my rent and car payment this month.” Earl hesitated but nodded. “Okay. Just this once more.” That once turned into a pattern. Every month, Cody needed money—for rent, for medical bills, for a “bad investment” he swore he’d pay back. Earl started making frequent cash withdrawals.
When Earl’s bank teller, Maria, gently asked if everything was okay, Earl smiled tightly. “Family helps family.” One day, Earl came in requesting a $10,000 cashier’s check. “It’s to help Cody start a business,” he said. Maria hesitated, then said, “Mr. Thomas, would you be willing to speak with our fraud specialist? This sounds like something we’re seeing more often—financial exploitation from people close to home.”
Earl looked down. His hands trembled. “You think my own grandson would steal from me?” “I think sometimes people we love take advantage before we realize it. But I also think protecting yourself doesn’t mean you’re turning your back—it means you’re staying in control.”
That night, Earl finally looked at his bank statements. In just under a year, Cody had taken over $38,000—gone with no proof of a business or repayment plan. The next morning, Earl came back to the bank and removed Cody from his account.
The Problem: Earl’s grandson obtained funds from the account under false pretenses. He knew his grandfather would not hesitate to help him in a crisis and took advantage of that kindness.
The Takeaway: Its not always strangers who take advantage, sometimes it’s the people closest to us. You have the right to say no, no one, not even your family, is entitled to your money.
This Is Security Calling
It was just after 6 p.m. when Helen’s phone buzzed with a call from a number labeled “Bank Security.” The voice on the other end was calm and professional. “Good evening, Helen This is Jason from the fraud department. We’ve detected suspicious activity on your checking account—an attempted transfer of $4,850 to an account in California. We need to verify your identity immediately to freeze the transaction.”
Helen’s heart jumped. “Oh my God, no—I didn’t authorize that.” “No worries,” Jason assured. “I just need to confirm your identity. Can you verify your online banking username and password so I can access your profile and secure the account?” Helen hesitated. “Should I be giving that over the phone?”
“I completely understand your concern. You can even check the caller ID. This is a secure line, and time is critical to stop this fraud.” Trusting the tone and urgency, Helen gave him what he asked for. Within minutes, Jason was in.
He told her to expect a verification code. “I’m sending a security code now to confirm the freeze. Just read it back to me.” The code came through. Helen read it aloud—not realizing it was a two-factor authentication code giving the scammer full access.
By morning, Helen’s account had been drained—over $18,000 transferred out to multiple external accounts, none of which could be traced in time. When she called her bank in a panic, the real fraud department answered. “Helen,” the rep said gently, “We never ask for your online banking credentials or verification codes. Ever.”
Helen’s voice cracked. “But it sounded so real… I thought I was protecting myself.”
The problem: The caller spoofed the financial institutions phone number so it looked like a legitimate call from the bank.
The Takeaway: NO ONE will ever need to know your online banking credentials or authentication codes. If you are asked to provide this information, you are speaking to a scammer. If you ever receive a call like this, hang up and call your institution directly.
Con-Million the Chameleon Says: Scammers can blend into any situation, making it hard to tell who is truly trustworthy. Many scams start with the victim being promised something too good to be true, like an inheritance or huge winnings. The scammer builds trust over time, asking for money upfront to release the supposed funds. Before you know it, your savings are gone, and you’re left with nothing but regret.
Always be cautious when contacted out of the blue, especially regarding inheritances or unexpected financial opportunities. Do thorough research before transferring funds, and never let your guard down, no matter how convincing someone may seem.
Just because a company is legitimate doesn’t mean the person you’re speaking to is. Scammers often impersonate legitimate businesses, using tools like legitimate money transfer services or even OTPs (One-Time Passcodes) to trick you into giving them access to your finances.
Here’s what to remember:
Financial abuse can come from those closest to us. Family members, like Earl’s grandson, may exploit trust to repeatedly request money under false pretenses.
You have the right to say no. No one, not even loved ones, is entitled to your money—protecting yourself is never selfish.
Scammers use urgency and authority to trick you. Helen believed she was protecting her account when she gave information to someone pretending to be from the bank.
Your bank will never ask for personal credentials. If someone requests login info or verification codes, it’s a scam. Hang up and call your bank directly.
