A NAB banker has saved an elderly customer from losing $10,000 to a scammer after noticing some glaring red flags. Fraudsters will often impersonate well-known organisations, such as the government, banks and well-known businesses, to try and steal people’s money.

Kayla Doran immediately sensed something wasn’t right when a customer walked into NAB’s Burnside branch in Adelaide asking staff to withdraw cash to buy gift cards. The branch manager said the woman, in her 80s, appeared “very flustered” and was talking on the phone while asking for the money.

“She wouldn’t say what it was for and stayed on the call the entire time,” Doran said.

RELATED:

After taking the customer into a private room and stepping away from her phone, Doran discovered the woman had been speaking to someone claiming to be from Amazon.

The woman was told someone had hacked into her Amazon Prime account and money had already been stolen. They claimed she needed to take out $10,000 and get gift cards for someone who had hacked her account.

“There were so many red flags pointing to this being an impersonation scam,” Doran said.

Do you have a scam story to share? Contact tamika.seeto@yahooinc.com

While she has dealt with many scams in the job, Doran said this was the first time she had witnessed one unfolding in real time.

“A lot of people who come into the branch get frustrated when we ask questions about large transfers, but we do it to protect your money,” she said. “We’re here to keep you safe.”

Doran and her team were able to help the customer change her passwords and secure her accounts. They also hung up the phone on the scammer together.

Scammers will often impersonate trusted businesses, friends or family to steal people’s money or personal information.

NAB executive of group investigations Chris Sheehan said impersonation scams were among the “most distressing” incidents the bank sees because they prey on people’s trust and sense of urgency.

“We encourage everyone – if something feels off, stop and check with your bank. If you aren’t 100 per cent sure who you are on the phone to, hang up and call the organisation back using a phone number on their website,” he said.

“Finally, never share your banking or personal details over the phone. If you aren’t sure, speak to someone you trust about it.”