What would you do if someone called claiming to be your bank and told you your account had been hacked?

That’s exactly what happened to one of our insureds.

He got a call from someone claiming to be from his credit union, warning him about a large fraudulent charge. The caller knew his name, address, and enough personal details to make the whole thing sound legitimate. They even "transferred" him to their fraud department. It all felt real.

They offered him a solution: go to a retailer, purchase gift cards, and share the codes. They promised it would help recover the stolen funds faster.

He followed their instructions. The next day, the real credit union reached out. It was a scam.

The money was gone—and because he had voluntarily made the purchase, there was no reimbursement from the bank or the retailer.

But here’s the thing: if he had Home Cyber Protection on his homeowners policy, he might have had a chance.

Most people think identity theft coverage is enough. But it doesn’t help when you’re tricked into giving away your money. That’s where Home Cyber comes in. It covers fraud, deception, cyber extortion, and even support services if your devices are compromised.

Auto-Owners’ Home Cyber endorsement defines fraud as:

“An intentional and criminal deception of an insured to induce the insured to part voluntarily with something of value.”

That’s exactly what happened.

This is why we recommend Home Cyber Protection. Especially for families with aging parents, smart home devices, or anyone who banks online.

Could you spot a scam if it called you? What about your loved ones?

Let’s talk about how to protect your family and your finances from the scams that feel all too real.

Call us today or send us a message. We’re here to help.