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Even a Former FBI Director Can Be a Target of a Scam Caller. Here’s His Warning to Others
WTAE ^ | May 20, 2022

Posted on 05/25/2022 1:35:49 PM PDT by nickcarraway

No one is immune from getting scam phone calls. Criminals, mostly in other countries, keep finding new ways to steal your money.

Video above: See how a con artist does his work

"It can even impact a former director of the FBI. Both he and his wife found themselves in the crosshairs of sophisticated criminals.

“I was a federal judge,” William Webster said. “I was the director of the FBI, director of the CIA, and I was the target of an elder fraud scheme.”

Webster served as director of the FBI from 1978 to 1987.

Webster wants as many people as possible to see his public service announcement. You don't have to be 98 years old — like him to be targeted. His wife, Lynda, says the scams start coming for people over the age of 50.

“Take it seriously,” William Webster said. “Make sure you have people who can help who can do something, don't try to do it by yourself."

The scammers who target the Websters became aggressive. If you get a call or an email or a text that seems suspicious, you can report it to the FBI.

“We want people to be vigilant,” Lynda Webster said. “We're asking everybody to look after each other, we're asking young people to look after grandma, show the video to grandpa, make sure your parents aren't being scammed.”

“If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone,” William Webster added.

If you or someone you know have been a victim of elder fraud, call the FBI’s Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-800-CALL-FBI or click here to file a complaint.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Crime/Corruption; News/Current Events; US: Pennsylvania
KEYWORDS: fbi; scamcalls
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1 posted on 05/25/2022 1:35:49 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

Target but not victim of a scam attempt.


2 posted on 05/25/2022 1:41:59 PM PDT by Robert DeLong
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To: nickcarraway

I’m pretty much a daily target, because I have business calls also linked to my cell phone

I have one guy whose accent is the thickest Indian/Paki peasant accent you’ve ever heard insisting he is “Agent John Wilson from US Customs and Border Protection.” He’s actually called at least 3 times.


3 posted on 05/25/2022 1:47:59 PM PDT by PGR88
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To: nickcarraway
If you get a call or an email or a text that seems suspicious, you can report it to the FBI.

Or you can just hang up por send it to the bitbucket.

"Call the FBI" - LOL.

4 posted on 05/25/2022 1:48:22 PM PDT by Cboldt
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To: nickcarraway
“We want people to be vigilant,” Lynda Webster said. “We're asking everybody to look after each other, we're asking young people to look after grandma, show the video to grandpa, make sure your parents aren't being scammed.”

Wise advise. Don't trust anyone, not even yourself (everyone can make foolish decisions, so think twice about a possible scam and don't fall for it).

5 posted on 05/25/2022 1:49:41 PM PDT by roadcat
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To: nickcarraway

“If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone,” William Webster added.

~~~

Oh the arrogance.

“I’m so schmart, and even IIIIII got scammed”


6 posted on 05/25/2022 1:51:54 PM PDT by z3n (Kakistocracy)
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To: Cboldt
"Call the FBI" - LOL.

Yeah, just like the guy who ended up with Hunter's laptop did.

7 posted on 05/25/2022 1:54:13 PM PDT by Fido969 (45 is Superman! )
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To: nickcarraway

Which scam I wonder.
Don’t answer your phone unless you know the caller.


8 posted on 05/25/2022 1:55:48 PM PDT by AppyPappy (Biden told Al Roker "America is back". Unfortunately, he meant back to the 1970's)
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To: PGR88

I let Robokiller intercept that garbage multiple times per day. Last scammer got the Area 51 message.


9 posted on 05/25/2022 1:57:19 PM PDT by Noumenon (Black American flag time. KTF)
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To: nickcarraway

Wake up and smell the coffee, Bill. I get scam calls every day, sometimes multiple calls. I just hang up. And I’m supposed to believe the FIB will do something about this? Yeah right.


10 posted on 05/25/2022 1:57:36 PM PDT by colorado tanker
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To: nickcarraway

All this proves is what we’ve known all along - that politicians aren’t too swift - I don’t care what age they are. Most of us have sense enough NOT TO ANSWER THE PHONE or open emails if we don’t know WHO is calling or sending! Have people been living in caves for the past 30-40 years? In today’s world, how can ANYONE be unaware?


11 posted on 05/25/2022 2:01:49 PM PDT by Thank You Rush
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To: PGR88

I love it when they say they are the Social Security Administration Department.


12 posted on 05/25/2022 2:01:58 PM PDT by webheart (I thought I was helping by getting vaccinated but they say I didn’t help at all. )
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To: nickcarraway

Jeez. I pretty much consider everything that comes over the phone or email to be a scam. I haven’t been scammed yet. In the rare cases where it’s from one of my legit accounts, I always log in directly to that institution/service by typing in the URL myself to make sure it’s not a phishing attempt. Rule number one is never ever trust anything coming in over the phone, email, or internet. Someone at any level of actual responsibility in law enforcement ought to know this. The online world is a hive of scum and villainy.


13 posted on 05/25/2022 2:11:34 PM PDT by Mr. Rabbit
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To: nickcarraway

Thought this was a Bee article about agents being “fooled” by Sussman.


14 posted on 05/25/2022 2:12:47 PM PDT by fruser1
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To: Mr. Rabbit

Yup—if I don’t know someone personally I go immediately into scam detection and confirmation mode.

—Hang up on the caller immediately if it is a call.
—If they claim they represent someone actually doing business with me contact that business directly using contacts I previously used to find out if there is something that needs to be discussed.


15 posted on 05/25/2022 2:16:19 PM PDT by cgbg (A kleptocracy--if they can keep it. Think of it as the Cantillon Effect in action.)
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To: nickcarraway

This is convenient and works perfectly for me.

https://www.nomorobo.com/


16 posted on 05/25/2022 2:22:09 PM PDT by familyop ("For they that sleep with dogs, shall rise with fleas" (John Webster, "The White Devil" 1612).)
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To: nickcarraway

When I get the Indian/Paki accent I tell them I really want to talk but I need to keep this line open and BEG them to call me at another number. If they call that number the local FBI office answers.


17 posted on 05/25/2022 2:38:51 PM PDT by EandH Dad (sleeping giants wake up REALLY grumpy)
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To: nickcarraway

Typical pile-of-crap article.

How was Webster targeted?

By whom?

What was the scam?

Did Webster fall for it?

Did Webster lose money, bitcoin or his house?

Did Webster’s wife fall for a Nigerian romance scam?

Who’s on first?


18 posted on 05/25/2022 3:14:16 PM PDT by sergeantdave
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To: nickcarraway

If they’re looking for an easy mark, they should call the White House.


19 posted on 05/25/2022 3:25:16 PM PDT by proxy_user
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To: nickcarraway

we have not received calls like these in a very long time, but i used to blow a whistle into the phone.
Plus made rude suggestions on what the caller could do with his mother and later on, his goat.


20 posted on 05/25/2022 3:29:48 PM PDT by ronniesgal (is it safe?)
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