Quick-thinking bank teller saves customer from phone scam

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(Photo credit should read CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

A quick-thinking bank teller in Missouri is being credited with stopping a phone scam this week after a terrified woman attempted to withdraw thousands of dollars under the belief she would be arrested for missing jury duty.

The backstory:

In a Facebook post, the woman had been contacted by someone impersonating law-enforcement personnel who claimed she faced immediate arrest unless she paid a cash bond. 

The scammer kept her on the phone and warned her not to speak to anyone—an increasingly common tactic used to pressure victims into acting quickly. 

Recent reports indicate scammers have also begun directing victims to convert cash into Bitcoin at ATMs.

When the woman arrived at her bank to withdraw the money, a teller noticed her distress and quietly wrote a note that read, "You’re being scammed." 

The teller then refused the withdrawal, prompting the woman to end the call with the scammer. 

After learning more about the ploy from the teller, she contacted authorities to report the incident.

Dig deeper:

Law-enforcement officials say the case is one of several recent attempts involving fake jury-duty warrants. They emphasize that they will never call to inform someone of an arrest warrant, never request money over the phone, and note that in Missouri, missing jury duty may result in a fine—but not an arrest—and is always preceded by multiple written notices.

Authorities also extended their appreciation to bank employees who help stop fraud before it happens.

What they're saying:

"We know this is happening way more than we hear about, so thank you to all the bank tellers who refuse to let their customers be victims of these low-lifes. You play an integral role in keeping our community safe," authorities posted on Facebook.