I've been a hard working man.
Just like most Americans, I've had my share of odd end jobs. Just like most Americans, my goal has been to have a secure bank balance so that I can buy a house and plan a retirement. It was a nighmare how my beloved iphone became the cause of my downfall into poverty.
It took me almost 15 years of odd end jobs to get a satisfactory bank balance. As a construction worker turned office manager, I had my fair share of American dream. A frugal car, a frugal apartment, and finally I had enough for a down payment for a dream house. Not really something to write home about but my balance had almost reached 100K when it all came tumbling down.
I rarely go out to party because my 9 to 6 job and the 1 hour commute nearly engulfs all my daily time. But one fine day, one of my friends from college who I had not seen in 10 years calls me out of the blue that he's going to be in my city and he is invited to a party at one of this friends house the next day which was a Tuesday.
Being a friend, I had to take his offer and made it over to pick him up at his hotel after work and we headed to his friend's house. We chatted along the way. There was a lot to catch up on.
We got to his friend's house and there were almost 15 other people from different countries. Reminded us so much of college parties. Anyways what was not to enjoy so we went all out partying, drinking, smoking hookah. As the night winded down, apparently we did not wind down gracefully - and the next thing I remember was waking up in a couch the next morning at 10am. My friend was still sleeping in the other couch when I woke up.
I hurriedly woke him up and gave him a ride back to his hotel and proceeded on to go home to get changed to go to work. After a quick shower, I started driving to work and needed to get some gas so stopped over at the gas station.
As I swiped my credit card to pre-pay for gas, the card got denied 3 times. An eerie feeling crept up but I thought maybe I should try to withdraw some cash from the ATM inside. So I put in the pin code and the next screen saw me dumbfounded. My account which had almost 100K now was showing $5 balance!
That was scary! I immediately called the bank and the bank informed me that everything was transferred over last night and the transaction got completed in the morning.
How could it be possible? I was at my friends party and today was around 10 am in the morning. How could it have happened? I asked them. They asked me to quickly contact the police.
In coordination from the police and the bank, it was discovered that the transfer had been made from my own phone the night before. Apparently someone had taken hold of my phone and using my fingerprint login when I was passed out, logged into my bank account and initiated the transfer of all my money. When the bank sent approval pin code to the same phone, the culprit was able to use the pin code to approve the transaction! Now I am in a deep mess.
All my money is gone. It was authorized using my phone. I don't have any excuse. They are still trying to figure out who did it. I have no idea who came in or out after I passed out last night.
This is how I could lose all my savings from my bank if I have my bank app on my phone activated by using my fingerprints. This is just a public service announcement!
