The Midnight Call

It was 2:00 AM when Margaret's phone buzzed, shattering the silence of the night. She jolted awake, heart pounding. Late-night calls rarely brought good news. She fumbled for her glasses and pressed the phone to her ear.

“Hello?” she whispered with trepidation.

“Grandmother, it’s me!” A distressed voice crackled on the other end.
“Tommy? Is that you?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“Yes, Grandmother! It’s me, Tommy! I’m in jail. They’re saying I need $5,000 in cash to get out. Please, Grandmother, don’t tell Mom and Dad—I’m so scared!”

Margaret bolted upright, her chest tightening. The thought of her grandson alone in a cold, unforgiving jail cell sent a chill down her spine. She didn’t question the voice. How could she? Tommy was her pride and joy, and the thought of him in trouble was unbearable.

She stumbled out of bed, her movements clumsy with panic, and began getting dressed. Memories of losing her husband only months before made her especially vulnerable to the thought of losing another loved one.
By the time the sun peeked over the horizon, Margaret had spent hours pacing and fretting. As soon as the bank opened, she rushed in, withdrawing $5,000 in trembling hands. The teller gave her a concerned look, but Margaret dismissed it. She had a mission—save Tommy.

At the FedEx office, she carefully packed the cash into an envelope, her mind swirling with anxiety. She could almost hear Tommy’s voice echoing in her ears: “Please, Grandmother, hurry!”

“Is there anything dangerous in the package, ma’am? Any batteries or chemicals?” the FedEx agent asked, snapping Margaret out of her thoughts.

“No, no,” she said, shaking her head. “It’s just… money. My grandson got into some trouble, and I need to help him.”

The agent’s brow furrowed. “Ma’am, shipping cash isn’t allowed.”

Margaret froze, her breath catching. “What? But I need to send this! He’s depending on me!”

Meanwhile, across town, Margaret’s daughter, Sarah, was starting her day. A notification pinged on her phone: “ALERT: LARGE WITHDRAWAL from SAVINGS – $5,000.00.”

Her stomach dropped. She immediately thought back to the tech support scam last month when her mother had been conned out of $500. That had been a wake-up call, and Sarah had set up bank alerts to prevent another incident.

Frantically, Sarah dialed her mom’s number, but the call went to voicemail. Heart racing, she ran to her desk at work, praying she could reach Margaret in time.

Back at the FedEx counter, Margaret’s phone buzzed. She hesitated, then answered.

“Mom! What are you doing?” Sarah’s voice was urgent. “Whatever it is, stop right now! It’s a scam!”

Margaret clutched the phone tighter. “No, Sarah, this is different. Tommy’s in jail! He told me not to tell you, but he needs this money!”

“Mom, listen to me! Tommy isn’t in jail. He’s safe at home. This is a scam!”

The room seemed to tilt as Margaret’s grip on the package slackened. “What? Are you sure? He… he sounded just like Tommy…”

“I’m sure, Mom. Hang up and call Tommy yourself.”

Tears welled up in Margaret’s eyes as reality set in. She clutched the package to her chest, her relief crashing over her like a wave. “Thank you, Sarah. Thank you…”

For Margaret, the ordeal ended with a lesson—not a financial loss. But for countless others, such scams leave deep scars.

The Moral of the Story
In our digital age, scammers prey on emotions, trust, and urgency. Margaret was saved by her daughter’s foresight and the vigilance of a FedEx agent. Always verify requests involving money, especially if they demand secrecy or urgency. When in doubt, pause and seek help—whether from a family member, friend, or trusted advisor.

If you find yourself overwhelmed by worry or fear, remember to reach out to your practitioner or minister for clarity. What appears real in the moment may be a fleeting illusion. Remember you have access to Americas Digital Defender who can help you avoid the dangers of cyber threats and scams!

As we welcome the New Year, let’s commit to staying safe and aware. Next month, I’ll host a pop-up CyberSafe class at Ahiah with essential tips for avoiding scams like the one Margaret faced. Together, let’s make this the #Best.New.Year.Ever.