topic Re: Scammed‼️ in Community Chat

Scammed‼️

LTT1 — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 08:55:48 GMT

Yep, they got me! But at least, they didn't get my $$$, as far as I can tell.

Here is a photo of the website that explains briefly what happened to me.
This scam's series of bad actors method is happening more often apparently.

I got a call from (supposedly) Walmart. The person said "Did you order a play station 5 and headset in the amount of $1500

me, "no I did not".

WM impersonator ok I’m going to cancel this order your name is under investigation.

AND I need to send you over to the SSA.

Then next, this person [impersonator]

Ted PLANZOS

FED 5563599

So a man, speaking broken English, comes on the line asking questions and letting me know that my name is now connected to a bag of cash found in the amount of $94,000 and I’m being considered for money laundering, trafficking, etc‼️

I denied knowing anything about this and kind of laughed $94,000 LOL

"no" I said, "I’m just little old lady living in my apartment and minding my own business‼️"

"Do you understand that anything purchased with this money will be seized by the government?"

yes ok ❓❓❓

I will call back if we need more information from a (202) number.

Ending take-aways

why does this federal official not speak clear English?
why do I not have anything in writing about this?
why did a (supposed) Walmart employee initiate this conversation?

Re: Scammed‼️

haddon9 — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 09:11:53 GMT

I just never answer the phone if I get a call from someone that I don't know. If it's important they can leave a message. Plus I have a feature in my iPhone called "block unknown callers" that I use but a caller can still leave a text or voicemail.

However for entertainment puposes then I can see staying on the line. I'm glad they did't get anything from you.

Re: Scammed‼️

Cakers3 — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 10:17:11 GMT

@LTT1

Never ever respond. They take advantage of catching people off guard and they now can obtain a voice print. The voice print can be used without a person even knowing.

They move on from the initial call but that does not necessarily mean they are done.

Be very careful.

I'm glad your $$is safe but do be careful.

Re: Scammed‼️

Cakers3 — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 10:23:37 GMT

@haddon9

I do the same. Every contact has its own particular ringtone, too. This way I know who is calling.

I also do the same - no voicemail, I block and report spam.

Never ever answer an unknown caller. These scammers are very sophisticated today.

Re: Scammed‼️

LTT1 — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 10:44:20 GMT

@haddon9

@Cakers3

They got NOTHING from me in that phone call!

However, my first mistake was returning that call. I listened to the message and pressed the "return that call" option. It wasn't wise of me because like you said, I didn't know who I was calling back and it certainly wasn't Walmart!

Re: Scammed‼️

Estellee — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 12:12:34 GMT

@LTT1 That's scary but becoming so common. If these perpetrators would use their skills for something useful then that would be great.

Re: Scammed‼️

Carmie — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 12:15:08 GMT

I got a similar e-mail from " Walmart" just this past week saying I bought a couple of Play Stations and if I didn't place this order to call a number to cancel the order.

I deleted it. I wish I didn't so that I could post the email for others to see.

These crooks are on a Walmart bender.

Last year I did have my debit card number used at a couple of Walmarts in three different states on the same day. None of the transactions went through, though.

There were insufficient funds in my account. I only keep a small amount in checking and transfer from saving account if I need to replenish. I have the auto transfer turned off so that if there is not enough to cover the transaction, it will deny.

It's getting close to the holidays, so these scammers will be out in full force. Watch your money.

Re: Scammed‼️

Sweet Kitties — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 12:32:23 GMT

Thank you for the warning! It's important that we help each other out & report scams so it doesn't happen to someone else.

Re: Scammed‼️

deeva — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 12:44:29 GMT

You should never respond yes to anything during these calls. Sometimes all they want is a recording of your voice saying yes. They use this recording later to make it seem like you agreed to a purchase.

Better option, don't answer calls from unknown numbers.

Re: Scammed‼️

Meowingkitty — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 12:47:00 GMT

My rule of thumb is if I don't know you or I didn't contact you, don't bother trying to get anything from me. I don't answer the door or phone unless I know you or are expecting you.

Re: Scammed‼️

LTT1 — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 12:50:13 GMT

@Estellee @Carmie @Sweet Kitties @Cakers3 @haddon9

Thank you

When Researching the notes I made while on that call, I can pinpoint some of the sneaky tactics they used:

1) Well, Walmart seems legit and like it's a place most people use (no...this was just sneaky)

2) Using phrases such as "you are under investigation" puts a well-meaning, normally innocent person (me) on alarm.

3) making themselves seem unquestionably authentic ... all of their "canned" speech had motives behind it.

4) there are entities I have dealt with that will be upfront and send messages stating that they will never ask you for information on the phone on emails.

Re: Scammed‼️

Estellee — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 13:02:01 GMT

I get these crazy emails and calls claiming they are from amazon about a purchase. I delete the emails and hang up on the calls.

Re: Scammed‼️

LyndaGee — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 13:05:42 GMT

I got that call. I don't have an account with Walmart, so figured it was a scam. Scary what some awful people are trying to pull off to rip off innocent people.

Re: Scammed‼️

wagirl — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 13:57:00 GMT

@LTT1 --oh that makes me so MAD!!!!! Not sure how they got you tho. One thing I always NOT do anymore, is to answer yes to questions that are asked, like when they ask-- is this xyz? I always say this is she and not automatically yes. I hope you checked all your financial stuff and changed passwords and then reported this to where ever it is in your state. That happened to me a few months ago regarding my bank account---after a bit of listening to this ******--I figured out what was going on. Hung up and called my bank--it was a big fat scam as I knew it was. trust your gut--mine was screaming at me!!!

Re: Scammed‼️

Cakers3 — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 14:06:41 GMT

@LTT1

I understand that. That is why I said I was glad your $$$ was safe.

The point of my post was about voice print. Once a person speaks a voice print can be made and used in another scam.

We have no way of knowing if our voice print has been taken. Worse yet not knowing until much later it was used to fraudulently obtain purchases or even to try to get at bank info.

If we return a call now it's tagged as a possible viable victim.

Some scammers also sell/exchange information on victims. It keeps them hidden and harder to track especially bouncing off global networks.

Posters are just giving advice to help others.

Be well.

Re: Scammed‼️

Cakers3 — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 14:11:09 GMT

The best advice is to call the legitimate number for Walmart or your bank or whoever.

Returning these calls just opens up the door for these scammers.

Very sophisticated today and once even a voice print is taken it can possibly not be the end of trouble ahead. And the victim will not know until it's too late

If it doesn't sound as though it applies to you or makes any sense, hang up

.

Re: Scammed‼️

LTT1 — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 14:24:12 GMT

@Cakers3

Great point I hadn't thought of.
If scammers are willing to go to this much trouble, then I guess the sky is the limit on what lengths they will go to‼️

As I sat there listening, my gut was yelling at me that things didn't add up somehow. In retrospect, I can pinpoint some of these which explain it.

Re: Scammed‼️

LTT1 — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 14:27:20 GMT

@LyndaGee

I am thinking what if I was EVEN OLDER than I am now and my thinking was LESS CLEAR!

It could have been quite much more of a mess.

Re: Scammed‼️

Coastalcarolina — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 14:28:44 GMT

I will not answer any number I do not recognize. I also will not open my door to anyone I don't know. If you called me, leave a voicemail and I will decide. If you show up at my door, you will be standing there a long time. Or until I call the police.

Re: Scammed‼️

LTT1 — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 14:29:20 GMT

@deeva

That's the best way!