First came a rental scam, then a Tokoroa couple’s bank account was emptied, but now humanity is coming to the rescue.
Offers of financial help from strangers who read Stuffs story has “shocked” the Tokoroa family. duped into paying a deposit for a rental that was not available.
“We don’t even know the words to thank you. We’ve never had this generosity before,” said scam victim Ben Galley.
“It makes you feel like there are still decent people out there.”
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They’d had a rough year and found what they thought was the perfect home after posting on Facebook – but it turned out to be too good to be true.
Galley’s troubles began with a house hunt for him, partner Alice Lennon, 18-month-old Abel and 8-year-old Skyla-Rose, as the owners of his current rental were selling.
They had had a tough year and thought they had found the perfect home thanks to a message on Facebook.
Galley filled out a rental agreement with personal information; copies of his driver’s license, bank statements and birth certificate of his partner; and paid $100 to reserve the property before realizing it was a scam.
Christel Yardley/Stuff
Ben Galley, Alice Lennon, 18-month-old Abel and 8-year-old Skyla-Rose Galley live in Tokoroa.
They were gutted but willing to write it off saying “we won’t be so stupid next time”.
But nearly two weeks later, on Wednesday, Galley woke up to find his savings account empty, his $360 Work and Income Sickness Benefit gone.
The bank told Galley that someone impersonating him transferred the money.
The bank froze his account and launched a fraud investigation. The police are also investigating.
“We thought it was over after $100. We thought we had warned the bank enough. It really upset me,” he said.
Christel Yardley/Stuff
The family had a rough year and found what they thought was the perfect home after posting on Facebook
Then strangers who read about the couple’s plight came to the rescue.
One woman said, “It really sucks right now” – whether it’s inflation, rising interest rates, the cost of living or gasoline.
“Being a young family looking for a place to rent only adds to the pile,” she said. “My husband and I would really like to give the couple a bit of a koha just to help out in the smallest of ways.”
THREE
Patrick Gower examines the rise of internet scams (video first published in September).
The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, transferred $1,200 to their account.
“I know they didn’t ask for it, but you know what?……it’s tough out there, and we just wanted to encourage them – and let them know we encourage them.”
She said “not all people are s…” and maybe one day the pair could help someone else who might need to be reminded that there are good people out there.
“Kindness spreads. I think the world needs more of that these days.”
Michael, who declined to give his last name, said the family photo on the front steps reminded him of his own experiences.
“I could turn the clock back decades to another young couple just starting married life and how hard it was for us financially at the time with every dollar that counts.”
The man, from South Auckland, said they were lucky to have their own home and mortgage, but every dollar counted and there wasn’t much left at the end of the week.
He had previously looked at Facebook’s buy and sell section and said it was hard to figure out what was real and what wasn’t.
“They seemed to be doing all the right things and certainly didn’t deserve the end result,” he said.
He was no longer working, but wanted to pass on $150 to ease the disappointment.
A third man, who also wished to remain anonymous, contacted Stuff with an offer of $1,000.
Christel Yardley/Stuff
A woman, who wished to remain anonymous, transferred $1,200 to the Tokoroa family account.
Galley was shocked and speechless. “Are you serious?” he asked. ‘I don’t know what to say. I am stunned.”
“That is a huge amount for us. That helps us with everything. That’s like rent and food for a few weeks.
He had wanted to warn others about this type of scam, saying that the kindness of strangers and offers of help was unexpected.
But they were incredibly grateful and delighted that rent and groceries could be paid for a few weeks without stress.
“When the world is against you, there are people who want to help. It’s shocking to us,” Galley said.