‘I was hysterical’: Scammers steal $16K from woman’s bank account through wire transfers

PHOENIX (KPHO/Gray News) - An Arizona woman says she is distraught after scammers stole thousands of dollars from her bank account.

Sandy Girard says Aug. 22 is a day she will never forget.

First, her husband was rushed to the hospital and underwent emergency surgery. Then, somehow someone accessed her Navy Federal Credit Union account and made two fraudulent wire transfers.

One charge was just over $9,624 and the second transfer was for $6,427.24.

“I was hysterical,” Girard said. “She [the representative] said someone called, stating they were you. I said, no, that was not me. I am not trying to do that. She said OK, calm down.”

With her husband in the hospital and more than $16,000 taken from her account, Girard was far from calm. But the two wire transfers were still pending and had not gone through yet, so Girard was hopeful she had caught it in time.

However, she didn’t.

“It was mind-blowing. The moment that it happened,” Girard said.

She has since filed a dispute with Navy Federal.

However, consumers cannot stop domestic wire transfers sent from a bank or credit union, even though they’re considered pending.

Representatives with Navy Federal said they are investigating the situation, but it could take weeks to determine whether Girard will get her money back.

”I cannot believe this. I cannot believe this is happening,” she said.

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