this post was submitted on 25 Jun 2025
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How I Got Scammed Out of $50,000 (www.thecut.com)
submitted 1 day ago by hahattpro@lemmy.world to c/longreads@sh.itjust.works
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[–] zeezee@slrpnk.net 6 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

He gave me his badge number. “I’m going to need more than that,” I said. “I have no reason to believe that any of what you’re saying is real.”

“I completely understand,” he said calmly. He told me to go to the FTC home page and look up the main phone number. “Now hang up the phone, and I will call you from that number right now.” I did as he said. The FTC number flashed on my screen, and I picked up.

“How do I know you’re not just spoofing this?” I asked. “It’s a government number,” he said, almost indignant. “It cannot be spoofed.” I wasn’t sure if this was true and tried Googling it, but Michael was already onto his next point.

Yeah actually phoning the number would have been the best - I guess that's why they bombard you with instructions so you don't have much time to stop and think

[–] socphoenix@midwest.social 2 points 23 hours ago

Exactly, they don’t want you to have time to think and call but even if weird any place I’ve used or worked has been fine with you calling back on the main line yourself to make sure it’s the right place.

Taking that time to think is hard in the moment though.