Elderly Haredi Couple in Monsey Saved From $51,000 Tech Support Scam

An elderly Haredi couple from Monsey narrowly avoided losing $51,000 in a sophisticated tech support scam that lasted several hours. The incident began last Friday when a message appeared on their computer claiming it had been hacked. Shortly after, scammers posing as Microsoft representatives contacted the couple, alleging that criminals had used their computer for serious crimes and warning that federal authorities would arrest them unless they complied immediately.

The scammers pressured the couple to stay on the line, forbidding them from disconnecting or seeking advice. Under this intense pressure, the couple went to their bank branch and insisted on transferring $51,000 to an account controlled by the fraudsters. Even after returning home, the scammers continued attempting to access additional bank accounts and personal information through the computer to steal more money.

Around 5 p.m., the wife grew suspicious and contacted the "Chaverim" volunteer organization in Rockland County. Volunteers quickly recognized the severity of the situation. One volunteer was dispatched to the couple's home while another rushed to the bank. Working with bank staff, the volunteer managed to halt the transfer while it was still processing, saving the couple's $51,000. The volunteer at the home also disconnected the scammers' access to the computer, secured it, and protected the couple's financial accounts from further hacking attempts.