“It was easy to get wrapped up in what I was being told,” explained 76 year old, Darrel Tolzin of Lake Preston, SD. Overjoyed at the thought of ‘winning’ enough money to put anyone’s financial worries to rest, Mr. Tolzin missed the warning signs. A mistake which led to financial loss, and even worse, exposed him to actual physical harm. “I felt like a fool once I realized what had happened, but I hope I can save someone the stress and fear I experienced by telling my story,” explained Darrel.
Mr. Tolzin had moved back to Lake Preston after living in Arizona for several years. Unfortunately, Darrel had been diagnosed with Leukemia and was having concerns over his health and how it might impact his financial future. As if a prayer was answered, he received a phone call in September, stating he had won $8.5 million dollars. Darrel recalls thinking it was too good to be true, but the caller mentioned Publisher’s Clearing House and Wells Fargo making it sound very legitimate. They even went as far as to give Tolzin a phone number, which appeared to be, to a Wells Fargo location so he could verify the funds were waiting for him. At this point, Darrel was too star struck by his new found fortune to realize Publisher’s Clearing House and Wells Fargo had absolutely nothing to do with the nightmare he was about to be swept into.
The first instructions to Darrel were requiring him to pay the income tax on his winnings before the monies could be released. He was told to send the funds in a cashier’s check and to keep the conversations and transactions a secret until all the paperwork was complete. When it was time, a BIG public announcement would be made on his behalf. “They had me convinced this was a legitimate deal and I needed to keep it a secret or lose the money. I felt bad about lying to everyone about what I was doing, but I kept thinking this money was going to pay off my house, my medical bills and make sure I wouldn’t end up being a burden on anyone,” confessed Tolzin.
With the stage set by the prize givers, Darrel was anxious to accommodate their continued requests for money and expensive gifts as they dangled the $8.5 million dollars over his head. The caller utilized several clever tactics, which kept Darrel’s suspicions at bay. They used only local 605 area code phone numbers to appear as if he was talking to someone right here in South Dakota and as close as a Brookings prefix. In addition, the caller sent several checks to Darrell to show their ‘good faith’ but asked him not to cash them until instructed to do so. Mr. Tolzin is a member of Dakotaland Federal Credit Union in De Smet and it was in October the staff noticed some uncharacteristic transactions on Darrel’s accounts. “We also noticed his behavior had changed dramatically and seemed very nervous and anxious when he stopped into the credit union,” noted Branch Manager, Barb Asleson. It was then, Ms. Asleson felt compelled to talked to Darrel. “I didn’t want to tell her, but when Barb started talking about scams and fraud, I got a terrible feeling and started talking,” explained Tolzin.
The next few hours were critical. A call was made to a ‘real’ Wells Fargo and as suspected, there was no such account or winnings waiting for Darrel. The whole story was confirmed a SCAM. The Dakotaland Staff in De Smet quickly helped Darrel freeze his accounts and all lines of credit, notified the credit bureaus, contacted the State’s Attorney’s Office in Pierre, etc. Ironically, the scammer called Darrel while he was sitting in Barb’s office. Darrel proceeded to hand the phone to Barb and when she indicated who she was the line went dead. At this point, the caller knew the ‘secret’ had been told. Darrel went home feeling relieved he had talked to Ms. Asleson and grateful for her assistance, but also extremely upset with himself. Tolzin was in hopes this bad dream was over, but that was not the case. Later that same evening, an unfamiliar car pulled up to the Tolzin home in Lake Preston. When Darrel opened the front door, a large man he did not recognize was standing there. The stranger told Darrel he had been instructed to take him to Brookings and stated he needed him to get in the car. Darrel refused and the man returned to the vehicle to make a phone call. Moments later the man was back at the front door and informed Darrel he had his son on the phone he should come to the car and talk to his son. Thinking quickly, Darrel asked the man to verify his son’s name, but he could not. Darrel once again said he would not get in the car. The persistent stranger then indicated that if Darrel did not come with him to Brookings, he would not get paid for the trip he had made to Lake Preston. Thankfully, Tolzin’s neighbor appeared and was witness to the scene. Darrel again refused to get in the car and told the stranger the authorities had been called. The man finally left.
“I was in shock, but now I knew I had to do more than protect my money, I had to protect myself,” declared Darrel. A police report was filed, and he immediately changed his cell phone number. Following, Tolzin did not have anyone else try to contact him in–person, but oddly, even though he changed his cell phone number (several times), they somehow obtained his new number and continued to try to call him. Now wise to the deceitful ways of the scammers, Darrel put a stop to any connection they might have had with him.
The good news is, this group of criminals appears to have moved on. The bad news is, they are not gone or captured, but out there looking for the next person they can take advantage of. “I am so grateful to Barb and the staff at the credit union for paying attention and caring enough to say something. I hate to think what could have happened if I had gotten in that car. Looks like this young lady might have just saved my life,” added Darrel with a smile.
