On July 2, Ann visited a Patelco Credit Union branch requesting a $10,000 wire transfer to her Meriwest account, claiming it was for medical expenses. Sensing something was off, I contacted her trusted contact, her son Roy, who confirmed that Ann had no such medical bills.
Following his guidance, we declined the transaction. Ann was upset, insisting, “This is my money — I can withdraw whatever amount I need.” I calmly explained that we could proceed once she provided a copy of the medical bill.
Ann has been visiting the branch 2 to 3 times a month, consistently requesting large wire transfers, typically between $9,000 and $10,000often intended for a longtime “friend.” Each time, we’ve declined the transactions due to red flags.
During a previous visit, Ann received a call while at the branch from a man who instructed her not to tell staff he was directing the transaction. He sent her a photo identifying himself as “Matthew Newman” from the DEA. When I spoke to him directly and identified myself as law enforcement, he immediately hung up. We also declined that transaction.
Roy later shared that Ann had recently gone missing for several hours and was found in her car at a church, visibly distressed and crying. In the vehicle were numerous gift cards she had purchased, which she intended to deliver to someone. I recommended Roy consider changing her phone number and switching her to a flip phone to reduce scam exposure.
Thanks to ongoing vigilance and collaboration with her trusted contact, we’ve been able to protect Ann from repeated financial exploitation. This case highlights the importance of persistence, empathy, and proactive intervention in safeguarding our most vulnerable members.
This story was submitted by an employee of Patelco Credit Union.
