In April 2026, a Patelco member of more than 25 years contacted us to review her account after believing recent debit card fraud was already being addressed by the FDIC. A thorough review revealed no existing fraud alerts; however, four suspicious international debit card transactions totaling $4,839.73 were identified. During the conversation, the member shared that an individual claiming to represent the FDIC had instructed her not to report the issue or disclose his identity. After explaining how fraudsters can spoof legitimate caller ID information, our team member was able to build trust and uncover additional details.
The member disclosed that over the course of a week, she had shared extensive personal and financial information — including online banking credentials — and that the interaction had escalated into inappropriate and unwanted behavior. The member also shared she was recently widowed and managing her financial affairs independently, increasing her vulnerability during this time. Immediate action was taken to protect her: fraud disputes were filed for the unauthorized transactions, a case was opened, and an Adult Protective Services (APS) report was submitted. She was also guided on securing her accounts and contacting other financial institutions.
By the end of the call, the member expressed relief and appreciation, stating she felt informed, supported, and empowered to take next steps.
