How a Bank Teller Saved a Retiree from a $9,000 Crypto Scam – A True Story That Shows How Easily Scammers Can Fool Our Parents

A man walked into a bank branch in Canada with what looked like a routine request—he wanted to deposit a cheque. He asked how long the hold would be, and nothing seemed unusual. Since it was the Friday before Victoria Day, the employee explained that with the holiday, the five-business-day hold would take him to May 21. That’s when things changed.

The man, 75 years old, said he needed at least $9,000 of the funds released right away. When asked why, he said he had to send that money to his crypto account so he could finally withdraw the $90,000 USD it had “generated.”

The bank worker was alarmed. She asked how he opened the account and what platform it was. The answer? A Facebook ad. He had clicked on it a few months back and deposited a few hundred dollars. Now, he was told he had a balance of $90,000 USD—but could only access it after sending in 10% as a “withdrawal fee.”

The teller explained it was a scam and showed him examples and similar stories online. She also reassured him that losing a few hundred dollars was a painful but lucky escape. If he had sent the $9,000, it would’ve been gone for good. The so-called “investment advisor,” who had been yelling at him from Brussels, would have disappeared.

This time, someone asked the right questions in time. But many aren’t so lucky.

(Story Source: reddit.com )

Why Scammers Target Older Adults

Crypto scams have taken on many forms in recent years. One of the most common tactics today is the “withdrawal fee” scam—where victims are told their investment has grown substantially, but they can’t access it without sending more money.

Scammers often promise unbelievable returns in a short time and use fake dashboards or apps to show false account balances. Many victims only realize something’s wrong when they try to withdraw their funds and are met with delays, extra fees, or aggressive pressure.

These scams often start with a social media ad or message and can appear professional and trustworthy. The fraudsters behind them usually operate overseas and hide behind fake identities.

Did you know?
A “withdrawal fee” scam is actually a type of advanced fee scam—where scammers trick you into paying money upfront to unlock fake earnings that don’t exist.

Learn how these scams work, how to spot the red flags, and what to do if you’re targeted:
Advance Fee Scams: What They Are, How to Spot Them and Safety Tips

People over 60 are often targeted by scammers for several reasons:

• They tend to have savings or retirement funds.
• They may be less familiar with online scams or crypto terminology.
• They’re more likely to trust polite or official-sounding messages.
• They might feel uncomfortable asking for help or admitting confusion.

Fraudsters also use emotional pressure. In this story, the scammer yelled at the victim to push him into acting fast. Others use flattery, fake urgency, or even romantic language to win trust.

How to Protect Elderly Family Members from Crypto Scams

Here are a few steps you can take to help someone stay safe:

• Talk early and often about online scams and how they work.
• Encourage them to talk to someone they trust before sending money online.
• Offer to check websites and emails if they’re unsure about an offer.
• Help set up security features like two-factor authentication on their accounts.
• Watch for unusual behavior, like rushing to the bank or hiding financial moves.

Related: Next Time You Visit Your Parents, Take These 5 Steps to Secure Their Devices

How to Talk to Older Loved Ones About Crypto Scams

It’s not always easy to start these conversations, especially if someone feels embarrassed or ashamed. But it helps to keep things simple, supportive, and clear.

Here are a few tips:

• Start from a place of care. Try, “I read about some common scams—can I show you how they work just in case?”
• Avoid blame. Say, “Scammers are getting really clever. Anyone could fall for it.”
• Use real stories like this one—to show it happens to others too.
• Offer tools, not judgment. “Want me to set up a scam filter on your phone? It could help you double-check things.”
• Be ready to repeat. These scams come in new forms all the time, so regular reminders help.

Free tools to help spot scams before they do damage

If your parent or an elderly family member uses a phone or computer, there are free tools from Bitdefender they—or you—can use right away to check if something is a scam:

1. Ask Scamio Before You Act

Bitdefender Scamio  is a free tool that helps people figure out if a message, link, email, or social media post might be a scam. You just send the message, screenshot, or website link to Scamio, and it will tell you if it looks suspicious—and why.

Scamio works 24/7, doesn’t store your data, and you don’t need to install anything. It runs in your browser or through Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, or Discord. Think of it as a quick second opinion you can turn to anytime.

2. Check the Link Before You Click

Bitdefender Link Checker lets you paste in any website link to see if it’s safe. It scans for phishing, malware, and fake websites—no download or signup needed.

If someone is pressuring you or a loved one to click fast or send money urgently, stop and check first. These free tools are simple to use and give you time to think. Pausing, checking, and asking for help could stop a scam in its tracks.

Related: Crypto Recovery Services: Scam or Legitimate?

When Older Adults Need Extra Help Staying Protected

While free tools are great, many older people need more than that—especially if they don’t feel confident with technology or are easily pressured by scammers.

If you’re looking after a parent, grandparent, or another elderly loved one, you can help by setting up broader protection on their devices. Bitdefender Premium Security – Family Subscription lets you protect up to 25 devices under one plan. That means you can add their phone, tablet, or computer and get real-time protection against scams, malware, phishing, and more.

And with features like Scam Copilot, they’ll have an extra layer of support. This AI-powered tool automatically detects scams in emails, browsers, and messaging apps — and even includes a chatbot that helps them double-check suspicious messages. It’s like having a digital safety net, especially for those who might be more vulnerable online. You stay in control of their protection, and they stay safer without needing to manage everything themselves.

Learn more: Bitdefender Premium Security – Family Plan

Scammers rely on silence, shame, and confusion. But when we stay informed, check in on each other, and use the right tools, we can break the cycle.

If you’re worried about your parents or grandparents being targeted, now’s the time to start the conversation—and take steps to protect them.