A Batehaven woman has lost $20,000 in a sophisticated phone sting.
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The woman, who wishes only to be known as Anne, contacted the Bay Post/Moruya Examiner after reading our story "Bullied to tears" on April 10.
In that case, a Broulee man arrived home just in time to prevent his family's identification and funds being stolen.
Anne was traumatised after a similar "despicable" experience in January - with a much worse outcome. She is speaking out now after realising others are being targeted.
Anne says a "dictatorial" male scammer impersonating a Telstra technician rang on January 22 to "fix" her NBN service, which had been disrupted for some time.
"I fell for it," she said.
"It went on for hours. I really believed him. I usually do not take these things for granted."
The caller convinced her that her computer system was under attack.
"They showed graphs to show they were 'clearing it' and were you were being 'attacked'," Anne said.
"I was being attacked, but I did not realise they were the ones attacking me.
"Bullying is a good description for how he acted and I was left feeling panic stricken."
She lay awake that night upset about the ordeal and checked her bank account to find two sums totaling $20,000 missing.
Now the major bank she has been a customer of for nearly 50 years has refused to reimburse her, saying she had provided too much information to the scammer.
Anne agrees "I was stupid to allow it", but says the bank's safety code system did not work. She says she did not receive a security call to check the transactions were genuine.
"What happened to net code? It is a mystery and a cop out on the bank's part," Anne said.
"It was not safe and there was no backstop.
"I have lost confidence in the banking system.
"I was confident my money would be protected.
"I understand I have done something stupid, but it was too easy."
Anne said the experience had left her wiser but unsure who to trust.
"I no longer answer the phone to anyone I don't know. I am 80 - it has aged me.
"It was a despicable act; to think they are targeting older people.
"They are vulnerable and do not have the opportunity to go out and earn more money.
""I was totally traumatised. It was one of the worst experiences. He was bossy and dictatorial and I fell for it.
"I am glad your article highlighted this menace and hope it stops someone else from being hurt."
