FALL RIVER, Mass. (WJAR) -- A Fall River couple lost nearly their entire life savings this fall after falling victim to a sophisticated scam, and now their daughter is asking the community for a simple act of kindness to help lift their spirits ahead of the holidays.
Melissa Heroux said it started in September, when her 74-year-old stepfather, Arthur Holley, noticed a large and unexpected withdrawal in his bank account.
"It started in September," Heroux said. "My stepdad had noticed in his checking account that $4,000 was removed from a Lexus Institute Financial."
The family says neither Arthur nor his wife, 72-year-old Kathleen Holley, has ever owned a Lexus. They immediately contacted their bank to dispute the charge. But according to Heroux, things became far more complicated when Arthur received a second phone call from what he believed was the bank's fraud department.
"They gave him a phone number, told him to call that number and that that person will be able to help," Heroux said.
Heroux said her stepfather unknowingly followed instructions from a scammer posing as a bank representative. The caller told Arthur that $8,000 had been mistakenly deposited into his account and needed to be returned right away.
"They had him scared that it was him that did it. They threatened to call the FBI," Heroux said. "So, he's freaking out."
The scammer then directed him to withdraw $7,000 and drive to the Apple Store at Providence Place Mall. There, he was told to purchase thousands of dollars in Apple gift cards.
Heroux said it still troubles her that no one stepped in.
"How is it that these workers see a senior citizen, 74 years old, coming in and asking for $7,000 gift cards in different increments and not flag it?" she said.
Arthur later sent photos of the gift card codes to the scammer.
The Holleys' accounts were locked. The suspicious phone number was disconnected. And their life savings were gone.
Heroux said the financial loss has taken a deep emotional toll on her parents, who worked their entire lives and are now struggling to get by.
When asked what the last two months have been like for them, she said: "Miserable, miserable. They are 74, 72 years old and they have to do gig work now to survive."
Heroux said the heartbreak has hit her mother especially hard, particularly with Christmas approaching.
"She doesn't want anything to do with Christmas this year. She doesn't want to put up any decorations, nothing," Heroux said.
Heroux stressed that she is not asking for money and is not organizing a fundraiser. Instead, she is hoping the community will help lift her parents' spirits the old-fashioned way: by sending Christmas cards.
When asked what feeling she hopes the cards will bring, Heroux said simply: "That there's good in people still out there."
Anyone interested in sending a card can mail it to:
Kathleen & Arthur Holley
The Highlands
1820 Highland Ave, Apt 39