Earnette Green says she was instructed by someone claiming to be with Vystar to leave the “compromised card” under her mat.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville woman’s debit card has been stolen after a scam convinced her to place the card under her doormat.
Earnette Green recounts receiving a call last week from a man identifying himself as Alex Samuels from Vystar, who informed her that her debit card was involved in fraudulent activity.
The caller advised Green to update her password for deactivation purposes and instructed her to place the card under her doormat for UPS to collect and replace it.
Green says that the caller told her that she had to do that now while I’m on the phone.”
That night, Green’s security footage recorded someone approaching her front door. The next morning, her debit card was missing, and she received another call from “Mr. Samuels” instructing her to wait four days and update her password once more.
Green disconnected the call and contacted Vystar, discovering two unauthorized $800 transactions at grocery stores. She successfully disputed these charges but sadly noted $2500 transferred from her credit line and $1000 taken from her checking account.
“I was just vulnerable that morning, and they caught me off guard,” said Green.
Stephanie Curtis, a senior vice president with Vystar, explained how the bank would go about a legitimate fraud concern.
“We do not instill fear,” stated Curtis. “We don’t require personal information, social security numbers, passwords, or full card numbers. We would verify specific transactions.”
Green reported the incident to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, hoping that, even if her money isn’t recovered, they can prevent others from falling victim to similar schemes.
“Never let anyone talk you into changing your password over the phone,” said Green. “Hang up and call that financial institution back.”
First Coast News tried calling Mr. Samuels, but found the number came up as disconnected.
