CBS News journalist Matt Gutman recently shared a harrowing experience on social media, revealing that he was the target of a sophisticated phone scam that almost had him emptying his bank account.

A very scary experience, Gutman described the incident as one that left him questioning his own savviness. The scammer, posing as a bank fraud investigator, called Gutman and claimed that someone was trying to illegally pull money from his bank account.

The scammer seemed to know a lot about Gutman, including his bank account details, and even provided a name and badge ID to establish credibility. They warned Gutman that there was significant fraud activity at the bank branch where he banked and instructed him to withdraw all his cash. The scammer also cautioned Gutman not to explain to the tellers what he was doing because they suspected that there were two fraudsters at the bank, operating under specific aliases.

Gutman was told that withdrawing the cash would trigger the fraudsters into action, allowing the investigators to catch them. However, Gutman soon realized the absurdity of the situation and the fact that he, as a seasoned journalist, had almost fallen for the scam. He recalled doing numerous scam stories throughout his career and how he had come close to being caught off guard.

As Gutman beelined to his bank, he couldn’t help but think about the potential dangers of the situation. He imagined walking out of the bank with thousands of dollars in cash, only to be robbed or have his car stolen. Gutman’s experience highlights the complexity and sophistication of modern phone scams, which can be extremely difficult to detect.

Fortunately, Gutman was able to realize the scam and avoid falling victim to it. However, his experience serves as a cautionary tale for others to be vigilant and aware of potential scams. Gutman has since shared his story on social media, warning others about the dangers of phone scams and providing tips on how to avoid falling prey to them.

In a subsequent post, Gutman revealed that he should have called the number on the back of his bank card, which would have likely resolved the issue. He also admitted to spending over an hour on the phone with the scammer, during which time he was subjected to a barrage of convincing and manipulative tactics.

Gutman’s experience serves as a reminder of the importance of being cautious when receiving unsolicited phone calls, especially those that claim to be from banks or financial institutions. It is crucial to verify the authenticity of such calls and to never provide sensitive information or take actions based solely on the advice of a stranger.

As a seasoned journalist, Gutman’s experience is a sobering reminder of the dangers of phone scams and the importance of being vigilant in today’s digital age.