start getting texts around 10 AM from Verizon, saying please approve or deny access to your account, please return to the store you are next in line..etc...

I called Verizon fraud, asked them to lock down my account, they said we can't do that sir, but don't worry this person didn't get authenticated so they can't make changes. Hung up with Verizon fraud at 10:35. Around 10:45 I lose cell service, I race to a Verizon store, but it turns out it's only an authorized retailer so the workers have no idea how to help.

While there I connect to Wifi real quick and see in my email they've looked up my online banking ID, next email is they've changed my online banking password, next email is they've set up a wire to Payward Interactive for the full amount of our balance. This is only about 20 minutes after they took over my phone number. Major stomach sinking moment. I borrow the worker's phone and call my wife, tell her to head to the bank to shut down the accounts, and now I race to a real Verizon store.

At the real Verizon store, a worker is super helpful, we get my number back to my device and now it's a race to get control of my email back. Wife is successful at the bank, finds a good employee who can help. While there she finds out they transferred the full amount of our undrawn HELOC account to our checking account and had set up a 2nd, much larger transfer for that amount. She locks down the accounts so no money can leave. We feel good that we haven't lost any money so far.

The whole thing is so violating. We'll need to go set up a new bank account. I've been on high alert wondering what else they accessed from my email, what account will they attack next. Verizon store told me now our account requires someone in a store to present photo ID to make any changes. We were able to find out where the changes were made. It was a Verizon authorized retailer in Burbank, CA. The interesting part is my phone number was switched to a different device BEFORE the store opened. Wondering if I have a duty to call that store manager and let them know they have a rogue employee (but what if it's the manager) Crazy, crazy, no good day. These people were FAST and quite sophisticated. Scary how quickly it all started going down. Feel very lucky that we weren't traveling and were in a position to react quickly.

Verizon fraud line is not helpful at all. My call to the fraud dep't at the real Verizon store was comical, I'm standing next to the worker at Verizon and he explained the situation to the lady at the fraud department very clearly, she asks to speak to me and says ok you have a lost or stolen device that we're trying to replace for you, is that correct? Hahahaha