Woodhaven Police Department
An alleged electronic hacker targeted a Woodhaven couple’s bank account that totaled a financial loss of more than $56,000, according to police.
The husband and wife spoke with Woodhaven police officers on Nov. 16 after receiving a startling call from Fifth-Third Bank.
The call was in regards to a suspicious transaction involving their savings account.
“The bank called and said, ‘Did you just take $29,000 out of your account,’” the husband said. “I said, ‘What? Are you kidding me? No.’”
Upon checking their bank statements, it was discovered that numerous unauthorized transactions had been made beginning about six months ago.
Most of the transactions were initiated by a woman who’s name and address traced back to an address in Montana.
There were two transfer transactions of $2,500 each, made on June 13 and June 16.
A web initiated payment to a Northstar Bank was made in the amount of $2,499 on July 25.
Two other transactions were made on Aug. 22 and Sept. 5 for $4,900, each.
Police said two $5,000 transactions were made on Oct. 3 and Nov. 2.
It was a check in the amount of $29,000 that sparked a red flag with the bank and prompted the call to the Woodhaven couple, who have a joint account.
Documentation in the case shows there is a copy of the check with the couple’s bank account number written on the front.
The husband’s first name was written on the check, but the last name is not legible.
They told police they only used checks sparingly.
Records show legitimate checks from the account were used during that time to pay a MasterCard bill, make a payment at a doctor’s office and at a salon Downriver.
According to the husband, he and his wife were alerted by a hospital some months ago that their information was part of a security breach.
He said he has no idea exactly how or where his personal banking information was compromised.
Their account has been closed.
The resident gave the bank permission to give Woodhaven police documents pertaining to the case for investigative purposes.
According to the report, the bank was able to put a hold on the $29,000 check and bank authorities said they most likely will be able to stop the check from processing.
The husband said all of their money is expected to be restored.
“Of course we feared we were going to be out of our money,” the husband said. “It was a stressful few days. I feel like you can get PTSD after going through this.”
Police worked with the bank’s fraud department to follow up on a possible telephone number used in the scam, as well as look into the correlations between the fraudulent transfers.
The bank’s fraud department is now leading the investigation into the case.
“I just thought other people should know what is going on,” the husband said.”
He also said additional security measures have been put in place on their accounts and his wife, who managed the account, will be checking the account more often.
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