Camila Arteche took to her TikTok account (@camila_arteche) to share her near-miss with a phone scam. In the video, which has garnered thousands of likes, the Cuban actress recounted how she received a call from someone impersonating a "Bank of America" agent, claiming there was a $3,000 fraud attempt on her Amazon account.
During the call, she was transferred to a supposed "fraud department" and then to a "detective," who asked her to withdraw money from her bank account and deposit it into an account he specified. The Miami-based influencer explained that when she mentioned consulting her lawyer, the man became nervous, leading her to distrust the situation. "That's when I knew it was a lie," confessed the actress, who ultimately hung up the call and confirmed with her lawyer that it was an attempted scam.
The video has sparked numerous reactions from social media users, many of whom shared similar experiences: "It happened to me, but I told them I'd call back, and when I contacted the bank, they said it was a scam"; "They tried the same with my dad and brother, but they didn't fall for it because they were already aware."
Camila also mentioned that, according to her lawyer and bank staff, banks never request sensitive information or money over the phone. "It's true, they send messages to stop transactions; they did it to me in the early morning, and by the time I woke up, it was all gone"; "Banks never communicate through calls," agreed users.
Others took the opportunity to share their own close calls: "They told me to put my card in my mailbox for them to pick up. When I said I had done it, they said they were on their way"; "My mom was scammed 10 days ago at Bank of America, and they took all her money out of the account," shared others.
Camila thanked her followers for their support and advised them always to call the bank directly if they have any doubts. Many thanked her for the information: "Thank God it was just a scare, and thank you for sharing these tips," commented one person. "There are people who take courses on how to do these scams; it's a business, and the only thing we can do is educate ourselves to avoid falling into their trap," warned another user.
The video, which has already reached over 3,000 likes, continues to generate comments from people sharing their experiences or thanking the actress for her warning. Camila closed her video with a wish: "I hope it doesn't happen to you, and if it does, that you realize it in time like I did."
Common Questions About Phone Scams
Given the increasing frequency of phone scams, we’ve compiled some frequently asked questions to help you stay informed and protected.
How can I identify a phone scam?
Phone scams often involve urgent requests for personal information or money. Scammers may impersonate legitimate entities, such as banks or government agencies, and use fear tactics to prompt immediate action.
What should I do if I receive a suspicious call?
If you receive a suspicious call, do not provide any personal information. Hang up and contact the organization directly using a verified phone number to confirm the legitimacy of the call.
Do banks ever ask for personal information over the phone?
No, reputable banks and financial institutions will never ask for sensitive information such as your Social Security number, account numbers, or passwords over the phone.
How can I protect myself from phone scams?
To protect yourself from phone scams, be wary of unsolicited calls, never share personal information, and always verify the identity of the caller by contacting the organization directly.