Kristin and Andrew Drove to a Client’s House to Stop a Scam. Here’s What Happened.

A client of ours was sitting at her computer when a Windows Defender Security Alert filled her screen. Alarms were going off. A voice was telling her to call a phone number. The screen appeared locked.

She was terrified.

Then she did the thing I preach to every client — she called our office first. She got Kristin on the phone, trying to pull her account numbers and balances, because that’s what the scammer was telling her she needed.

Kristin heard it for what it was. She and Andrew got in the car and drove to the client’s house. They sat with her, walked her through what was actually happening, and stopped it before any money moved.

That is what fiduciary service looks like. It’s not a marketing line. It’s driving across town because a client is scared and a scammer has her on the phone.

The Scam That’s Costing Retirees Tens of Thousands

I’m writing about this because it keeps happening. Clients of mine have lost tens of thousands of dollars to this exact scam. Sharp people. Lifelong savers. Folks who would tell you they’d never fall for something like this.

Here’s what it looks like.

This is FAKE — DO NOT fall for it:

• A “Windows Defender Security Alert” appears on your screen
• It tells you to call a phone number
• Loud alarms or voice warnings play
• Your screen appears locked

Here’s the TRUTH:

• Microsoft will NEVER tell you to call a number
• Your computer will NEVER lock up and demand a phone call
• NO bank or government agency will ask how much money you have
• NO legitimate company will ask you to “move money to secure it”

The biggest red flag of all: If anyone asks about your bank balance over the phone — IT IS A SCAM.

If This Happens to You

• DO NOT call the number on the screen.
• Close the browser (Ctrl + Alt + Del → Task Manager if needed).
• Do NOT install anything they tell you to install.
• If you already clicked or installed something:
  • Disconnect from the internet immediately.
  • Call your bank using the number on the back of your card — not the one on your screen.
  • Change your passwords from a different device.

And then — call our office. That’s the whole rule. Call the office first. Before you call the number on the screen, before you move any money, before you give out any account information. We have caught more of these than I can count, and the ones that have gotten through have cost clients dearly.

The Preach

Listen to me on this. If you are a client of mine, you know my voice. You know who manages your money. You have a Happy Number we’ve talked about. If something shows up on your screen or your phone that doesn’t match the way we do business — stop. Call us.

If you’re reading this and you’re not a client of mine, why not? Who do you call when this happens to you? What’s holding you back from having a team that will drive across town for you?

Schedule a Complimentary Meeting

If you’re not yet a client and a scam like this is the thing that finally gets you to pick up the phone — good. Let’s talk. Schedule a complimentary meeting with Wayne by phone, video conference, or in one of our offices.