Police issue warning over bogus Wells Fargo calls claiming suspicious transactions

The recent surge in scam calls impersonating Wells Fargo seems to be going around so much that it even landed straight at the Elon Police Department. Their Facebook post, shared by Chief Blackwelder, highlighted a personal experience that serves as a cautionary tale for the community.

The Chief recounted receiving an automated call at 6 am with a familiar, yet unsettling, message: a suspicious transaction for $207.62 at Best Buy. The call, designed to mimic the bank’s fraud prevention system, instructed the recipient to press a number to verify or report the charge. Chief Blackwelder’s experience shows the scammers’ use of urgency and the late-night timing to catch people off guard.

The comments on the Elon Police Department’s post reveal how widespread this scam is. A user named Cheryl Troxler shared her own experience, noting she got a similar call at 5:30 a.m. but found it immediately suspicious since she doesn’t even bank with Wells Fargo. Another user, Steven Campbell, confirmed the legitimacy of the caller’s tone, saying it “really does sound legitimate” and that he had to go to his real bank to confirm it was a scam. This shows just how convincing these fraudsters have become.

It’s not just the police department sounding the alarm. An Instagram user, mavarinkfb, also detailed their near-miss with the scam. They received a robocall late at night from a number that even appeared as Wells Fargo on their caller ID, claiming a $200+ purchase at Best Buy. They immediately called the bank’s real number and were told by a representative that the bank was “inundated with customers checking in after receiving the exact same scam call.”

It’s clear that this isn’t an isolated incident; it’s a coordinated effort to steal personal information and money.

Earlier this year, we covered PayPal email scams that used similar urgency tactics, as well as YouTube phishing attempts targeting content creators. These attacks share common elements: they create false emergencies, use familiar brand names, and pressure victims to act quickly before they can think critically.

That said, awareness is your best defense. When that early morning call comes claiming suspicious activity, remember Chief Blackwelder’s experience and trust your instincts. A few minutes of verification can save you from financial headaches that last much longer.