Comment Section for The $50K Scam: F.T.C., C.I.A. and Amazon Weigh In on NY Magazine’s Charlotte Cowles - The New York Times

This New York Times article discusses the instance where Charlotte Cowles, a columnist for New York magazine, became a victim of a $50,000 scam. The scammers impersonated Amazon and government agencies, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). They fabricated a story of identity theft, leading Cowles to withdraw $50,000 from her bank under the guise of safeguarding her assets. The article attempts to clarify what each of these entities would do in case of actual identity theft by reaching out to each one. Amazon confirmed they would not transfer customers to any government agency, and if customers receive a suspicious call, they should disconnect and contact Amazon directly through the app or website. The FTC affirmed that their staff would never provide badge numbers or ask for personal financial details. A CIA spokesperson stated that their organization does not handle such matters, as they are not a law enforcement agency. The article also touches on the role of banks in such situations, with the author noting that the Bank of America allowed Cowles to withdraw a large amount of cash without hindrance, though they provided a warning about scams. The bank declined to comment further on their policy regarding large cash withdrawals. The piece concludes by talking about the psychological manipulation scammers employ and the need for people to trust their instincts in suspicious situations.