Fake Insurance Agent Offering Easy Money To Residents On Facebook

PALOS HILLS, IL -- An insurance company is warning residents to beware of a man posing as one of their agents, who’s been asking Wells Fargo clients to message him on social media if they’re interested in making some easy money. When a concerned resident responded to the private message on her Facebook page and asked which company he was affiliated with, the scammer replied “Insurance Navy.” The scam was reported on June 26.

Matthew Pudzisz, marketing and design manager for the real Insurance Navy at 10338 S. Harlem Ave. in Palos Hills, wants people to know that his company doesn’t solicit business on Facebook, texting, or any other any other social media. Insurance Navy sells affordable car insurance and SR22 insurance to consumers.

“They’re just looking for your bank account information,” Pudzisz said. “This is not credible and is by no means related to [Insurance Navy].”

The scammer’s Facebook message beckoned account holders (verbatim) “if you are to serious and want to get approved making $2,500 to $7,000 #MessageMe now for instructIon & also NO PERSONAL MONEY IS NEEDED.”

The concerned citizen exchanged private messages with the scammer, who gave a 773-number and asked if the concerned citizen “was going to text me or not.” Sensing something fishy, the concerned citizen contacted Insurance Navy’s Palos Hills office to report it.

The Insurance Navy management team called the 773-number provided by the concerned citizen in screenshots. A man answered, confirming that he was an “Insurance Navy” employee. He said he worked in the "Skokie location." The company does not have a location thre.

Managers started asking the guy questions about the company.

“I was told he was confused. He didn’t know what to do.”

The incident was reported to Palos Hills police, but because no crime had been committed, police told Pudzisz there wasn’t much they could do.

“Insurance Navy wants to remind current and potential clients that the company will never ask for your personal information over social media or text messages,” the company said in a written statement.

People are advised to report anything else suspicious on social media by calling Insurance Navy at 708-237-0404 and select option 7 for technical support. Also, ask for the employee’s full name and office location. Employees can also be verified by calling Insurance Navy’s main line at 708-237-0404 during regular business hours and ask to speak with a manager.

According to the Better Business Bureau, a non-governmental organization focused on enhancing marketplace trust, BBB Scam Tracker has received dozens of reports about con artists using Facebook Messenger to promote phony grants and other too-good-to-be-true scams. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't.

For advice on keeping your Facebook account secure, check out this article in Facebook's help Center.

If you've fallen victim to this kind of scam, help others avoid the same pitfall by filing a scam report at BBB Scam Tracker.

Facebook is a BBB Accredited Business.