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.
The Wire That Went Nowhere
Two days before closing, Mark received an email from his title company confirming the plan he’d discussed weeks earlier.
“Please bring a cashier’s check to closing for your down payment.” Relieved, Mark scheduled time off work and went to his credit union the next morning to request the cashier’s check. He was headed out the door, another email arrived — same logo, same email thread, same signature block. “IMPORTANT UPDATE: To avoid delays, please disregard the cashier’s check. Wire instructions are attached below.
Funds must be received today to remain on schedule.” Mark hesitated. The change felt inconvenient, but the email looked legitimate — professional tone, correct transaction details, even references to his closing date and property address. Buying a home was stressful. This felt like one more last-minute adjustment. He sent the wire. The next morning, the real title company called. “Are you bringing the cashier’s check today?”
Mark’s stomach dropped. “I already wired the funds, per your email.” There was a pause. “We didn’t send that,” the agent said quietly. “And we never changed our payment instructions.” The email had come from a fraudster using a business email compromise. The wire instructions rerouted Mark’s down payment into a criminal’s account. The funds were gone within minutes. Closing was postponed. Recovery was uncertain. What should have been a celebration became weeks of calls, reports, and heartbreak.
The Problem:
Mark was the victim of a Business Email Compromise (BEC) real estate scam. Fraudsters intercepted or spoofed legitimate title company emails and intentionally changed the payment method from a cashier’s check to a wire transfer. Because wires move quickly and are difficult to reverse, the funds were sent directly to the fraudster before the scam was discovered.
The Takeaway:
Any last-minute change to payment instructions is a red flag.
Before sending a wire , especially if the original plan involved a cashier’s check, always verify instructions by calling the title company using a trusted phone number. One quick call can prevent the loss of a lifetime of savings.
For Safekeeping
The call came early in the morning. “Hi, this is Jason from your credit union’s fraud department,” the man said. “We’ve detected multiple unauthorized attempts on your account. Someone’s trying to drain it.” Maria’s heart raced. Jason knew her name, her credit union, even the last four digits of her account. “Your funds aren’t safe right now,” he continued. “We’ve locked things down, but to protect your money, you’ll need to act immediately.” He lowered his voice. “This is time sensitive. Go to the branch, withdraw all available funds, and place them into a secure Bitcoin ATM for safekeeping. Once the threat is neutralized, the funds will be returned to your account.” Maria hesitated. “Should I talk to someone at the branch?” “No,” Jason said firmly. “Do not trust anyone there. If the breach is internal, they could be involved.
This is confidential.” At the credit union, Maria told the teller she needed the cash for a personal emergency. Her hands shook as she signed the withdrawal slip. She didn’t hear the teller’s gentle reminder that large cash withdrawals can be risky. An hour later, standing in front of a Bitcoin ATM, Maria followed Jason’s step-by-step instructions. When the last bill disappeared into the machine, the call went silent. Later that afternoon, Maria called her credit union’s real fraud department. They had no record of suspicious activity. They had no employee named Jason. And they would never ever ask a member to move money into Bitcoin.
The Problem:
Maria was targeted by a credit union imposter scam. A fraudster spoofed the credit union’s phone number and posed as fraud department staff, using urgency, insider knowledge, and fear to manipulate her. By isolating her and instructing secrecy, the scammer convinced her to withdraw cash and deposit it into a Bitcoin ATM — a transaction that is nearly impossible to reverse.
The Takeaway:
Your credit union will never ask you to withdraw cash, keep secrets, or send money to Bitcoin to “protect” it.
If you receive a call about fraud, hang up and contact your financial institution directly using the number on your card or statement. Scammers rely on panic and pressure — slowing down and verifying can stop the scam in its tracks.
The Extra $500
When Jenna listed her couch online, she expected a few low offers and some back-and-forth. Instead, she got a message within minutes. “I’ll take it,” the buyer wrote. “I’m out of town, but my assistant will pick it up. I’ll send a check.”
The check arrived overnight — for $1,800, even though the couch cost $1,300. “Oh no,” the buyer said when Jenna reached out. “That was a mistake. Can you please send back the extra $500 right away? I’m in a bind.” Jenna deposited the check. Her bank showed the funds as available the next day. Relieved, she sent $500 back through Zelle.
A week later, her bank called. The check was fake. The $1,800 disappeared from her account, but the $500 she sent was real. And gone for good.
The Problem:
Jenna was the victim of an overpayment check scam. The fraudster intentionally sent a fake check for more than the purchase price, then pressured her to return the “extra” funds quickly. When the check later failed, the bank reversed the deposit — leaving Jenna responsible for the refunded amount.
The Takeaway:
Funds appearing in your account does not mean a check has cleared.
Never send money back from a check deposit until your financial institution confirms the check has fully cleared. Scammers rely on timing and trust — waiting just a few days can prevent a costly loss.
Con-Million the Chameleon Says:
Scammers are masters of disguise. Sometimes they pose as your title company with “updated” wire instructions. Other times they pretend to be your credit union’s fraud department. They might even overpay you for something you’re selling and ask for the difference back.
In every case, the goal is the same: create urgency, pressure you to act quickly, and prevent you from verifying the situation.
In real estate scams, criminals intercept or spoof emails and change payment instructions at the last minute — often switching from a cashier’s check to a wire transfer. Once a wire is sent, the money can disappear within minutes.
In imposter scams, fraudsters use fear and authority to convince you your money is at risk. They may instruct you to withdraw cash, keep secrets, or move funds into cryptocurrency. Legitimate financial institutions will never ask you to do this.
In overpayment scams, criminals send fake checks for more than the agreed amount and pressure you to return the difference quickly. Even if funds appear in your account, the check may not have fully cleared — and you could be responsible when it bounces.
Here’s what to remember:
- Verify payment changes.
- Any last-minute change to payment instructions — especially involving wires — should be confirmed by calling a trusted phone number you already have on file.
- Slow down when pressured.
- Scammers rely on urgency and secrecy. If someone tells you to act immediately or not speak to anyone else, that’s a red flag.
- Your credit union will never ask you to move money to “protect” it.
- We will not instruct you to withdraw cash, send Bitcoin, or transfer funds to a new account for safekeeping.
- Funds available does not mean funds cleared.
- Always confirm with your financial institution before sending money back from a deposited check.
When in doubt, pause and verify. One phone call to a trusted number can protect your savings, your home purchase, and your peace of mind.
