Andy Cohen Falls Victim to Scam, Loses A Lot of Money
Television personality Andy Cohen recently shared a cautionary tale on his Daddy Diaries podcast, revealing that he was scammed out of a significant amount of money. The host of Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live opened up about the incident, shedding light on the tactics used by fraudsters.
Cohen explained that he initially received an email from a source claiming to be his bank’s fraud alert department. The email came shortly after he reported losing one of his cards. Concerned about potential fraudulent activity, Cohen logged into his bank account, only to be prompted for his Apple ID and password – an unusual request. Sensing something amiss, he exited the site but had already inadvertently granted the scammers access to his bank app.
Soon after, Cohen received a call that appeared to be from his bank, displaying the bank’s name on his phone. The caller posed as a representative from the fraud alert department and had access to Cohen’s account details, recounting recent transactions. Unbeknownst to Cohen, the scammers had already taken control of his calls and were intercepting communications.
In an effort to appear cooperative, Cohen remained on the line for an extended period with the scammer, who skillfully manipulated the situation. At one point, the scammer requested that Cohen enter certain numbers on his phone, leading to the appearance of a message forwarding setup on his screen. Assured by the scammer that it was insignificant, Cohen proceeded without further suspicion.
As the conversation progressed, the scammer informed Cohen about an attempted charge at a Walmart in Minneapolis. Cohen denied knowledge of the individual and was asked if he wished to press charges. In hindsight, Cohen realized this was a red flag, as the bank would typically handle such matters without involving the customer.
Believing the scammer’s instructions, Cohen waited for a callback that never arrived. Growing increasingly alarmed, he contacted the bank’s fraud alert department, only to realize that all his calls had been redirected to the scammers. The next day, Cohen discovered that a substantial sum had been wired out of two of his accounts. The scammers had taken advantage of the callback arranged by the bank to confirm the fraudulent wires.
Reflecting on his experience, Cohen offered advice to others who may fall victim to similar scams. He stressed the importance of exercising caution, especially when communicating sensitive information over the phone. Cohen emphasized the need to verify the identity of the caller and suggested asking for a call-back number or visiting the bank in person for further assistance.
Scams targeting unsuspecting individuals continue to evolve, and it is crucial to remain vigilant. By sharing his story, Andy Cohen hopes to raise awareness about the tactics scammers employ and offer valuable insights to help others avoid falling into similar traps.
