A member visited our Lafayette branch requesting to wire $29,500 to her niece. As the Senior Advocate asked routine questions, the member appeared confused and uneasy. A review of the account revealed another red flag—a $50,000 wire had been sent just days earlier. Concerned, the Advocate contacted the trusted contact listed on the account, explaining the unusual behavior and large wire request. The trusted contact immediately asked that all wires be declined and confirmed the request was part of a scam. The $29,500 wire was successfully stopped. Soon after leaving Lafayette, the member went to a nearby branch and attempted to send another $50,000 wire for a different reason. Thanks to clear account notes, the Walnut Creek team immediately declined the request, contacted the trusted person again, and added further protections to the account. The member did not recall making the earlier wire requests, reinforcing the seriousness of the situation. Once it was confirmed the prior $50,000 wire was also fraudulent, a wire recall was submitted and acknowledged by the receiving financial institution. Because our teams slowed down, documented concerns, and worked together across branches, they prevented additional loss and protected a vulnerable member from further financial harm.
