William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNews
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (Cleary’s Notebook News)January 9,2026)–Today I had the unpleasant experience of being scammed — or at least, almost being scammed.
A man who called himself Bryant, phoned my cell to warn me that my TD Bank credit card had supposedly been used. He asked whether I had been in Chicago recently and if I had charged $630 at a Best Buy there.
That should have been the first warning sign.
My answer to both questions was simple: no. I hadn’t been to Chicago, and I certainly hadn’t spent any money.
Bryant had a calm, friendly voice, and it didn’t take long for him to convince me he was a TD Bank fraud investigator. We were out at the time, and he insisted he needed to speak with me again once I got home so he could “make sure no other charges had gone through.”
An hour later, I called him back. He asked me to look over my credit card statement to check for suspicious charges. For nearly 15 minutes, nothing seemed out of the ordinary — until he told me to transfer $1,000 into his Zelle account while he stayed on the phone.
That was the moment the alarm finally went off. I told him I needed to check with my TD Bank manager before doing anything. He immediately became agitated. “No need for that,” he snapped. “My supervisor is here. Let me get him.”
I hung up. As I did, I could still hear him shouting “No!”
I then called the real TD Bank Fraud Division. They confirmed what I already suspected — I had been targeted by a scammer. Trudy, the representative I spoke with, told me she deals with this exact scam three to four times a day. Just before my call, she had spoken with a 19‑year‑old girl who wasn’t as fortunate; she had allowed the scammer access to her bank account.
The deception out in the world today is endless. I was lucky enough to catch on before it was too late. But how many elderly people — or anyone, really — fall victim to these schemes before they realize what’s happening?
⚠️Practical Tips to Help People Avoid Phone Scams
📞 1. Banks Never Ask You to Move Money
Scammers often pressure victims to transfer funds “for verification.”
Legitimate banks never ask customers to send money through Zelle, Venmo, gift cards, or wire transfers.
🛑 2. Hang Up and Call the Bank Yourself
If something feels off — even slightly — end the call.
Use the number on the back of your card, not the one the caller gives you.
🔐 3. Never Share Personal or Account Information
A real fraud department already has your information.
If someone asks for:
- account numbers
- passwords
- verification codes
- Social Security numbers
…it’s a scam.
⏳ 4. Beware of Urgency
Scammers thrive on panic.
Phrases like “act now,” “don’t tell anyone,” or “your account is in danger” are red flags.
👤 5. Caller ID Can Be Faked
Even if the screen says “TD Bank” or any other institution, it can be spoofed.
Trust your instincts, not the display.
💬 6. Don’t Stay on the Line
Scammers keep you talking to wear you down.
If you feel confused or pressured, end the call immediately.
🧓 7. Talk to Someone You Trust
Encourage readers — especially seniors — to pause and check with:
- a spouse
- a family member
- a friend
fore acting on any suspicious call.
🧠 8. If You’re Unsure, You’re Allowed to Be
People often feel embarrassed to question a “professional-sounding” caller.
Remind them: you owe strangers nothing, and caution is not rudeness.