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Daily Mail
20 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Hardworking teacher, 28, lived as recluse to build impressive nest egg...then scammers got him on the phone
A hardworking young teacher lived a reclusive life to build up his savings - but fell victim to evil phone scammers who stole it all with a few strokes of a keyboard. Russell Leahy, 28, practiced a frugal lifestyle by avoiding going out on the weekends and traveling, but his life came to a screeching halt when he realized he'd been a victim of a scam. Leahy, of Fort Worth in Texas, lost over $32,000 after he gave his bank account information to a fraudster who manipulated him into believing they were with Chase Bank's fraud department. The teacher said the scammers mastered Chase's protocol by playing the bank's recording at the start of the call that says, 'This call is being recorded for quality and training purposes.' The fraudsters quoted Leahy's exact bank balances and manipulated him into believing that his account had been compromised. Leahy believed that he needed to move his money into a new account to protect his savings, so he gave the information to protect the cash he had worked for. The scammers also sent him text messages and told him not to alert the tellers at his bank, as they were investigating a leak. Leahy hadn't thought anything of it because of the scammers' ability to mirror Chase's fraud process until he noticed his money was gone. 'I had literally never felt like the wind had been taken out of my sails before,' Leahy told local ABC affiliate, WFAA News. 'I'd never really felt like I was gonna pass out before, but it really felt like the end of the world for me.' Leahy said the experience was 'violating' and felt like he was 'being taken advantage of.' He filed a claim with Chase Bank, but only received $2,247.85. 'These types of scams are heartbreaking. We urge all consumers to ignore phone, text or internet requests for money or access to their computer or bank accounts,' a representative for Chase told 'Banks and legitimate companies won't make these requests, but scammers will.' Fraud differs from scams as fraud involves someone illegally gaining access to an account without the holder's permission. Scams, on the other hand, are 'a deceptive scheme or trick used to cheat someone out of their money or other valuable assets,' according to Chase. Scammers use manipulative information to deceive victims with non-existent products, phishing emails, fake websites, and spoofed Caller IDs. Leahy has started a fundraiser on GoFundMe to help alleviate the stress of living paycheck-to-paycheck while he fights Chase for his money. 'I've hired a lawyer. I've filed complaints with the CFPB, the Texas Attorney General, and the FTC,' he wrote in the description. 'I've done everything a person can do and I'm still left trying to survive on what little I have left.' Leahy said he filed a fraud claim with Chase, including a police report, screenshots of the texts and calls between the scammers, IRS documentation, and ATM receipts. He also claimed the bank sent a PSA email just days after he submitted a claim, describing the scam that he was a victim of. Despite the stresses he's endured, Leahy said he hopes the silver lining is that others learn from his story. 'I'd rather me be the sacrificial lamb for the rest of these people and maybe save other people's money from being stolen,' Leahy told WFAA. Chase advises customers not to answer calls or texts from a representative telling them to send money to another account. The bank never asks customers to send money to themselves. Customers who receive similar calls should hang up and call the number on the back of their Chase card.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Who is Opal Lee? 'Grandmother of Juneteenth' to skip Walk for Freedom march this year
For the first time since 2016, Opal Lee will remain absent from the Walk for Freedom march this year. The 'Grandmother of Juneteenth' will not be participating in the event due to a recent hospitalization. The 98-year-old has remained a part of the event since it was started in 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. In May, it was reported that Lee was admitted to hospital while she was on her way to receive the International Freedom Conductor Award at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Ohio. Speaking to the Fort Worth Report on June 17, Lee's granddaughter, Dione Sims, said that the retired counselor is now 98 and the family 'really wants to keep her in.' Further, Sims told WFAA that while her grandmother's health prevented her from leading the Walk for Freedom, she was still planning to take part in it. The family has assured that the retired teacher will attend it virtually. Also read: What's open and closed on Juneteenth: Details on stock market, banks, post offices, Costco, Starbucks, Walmart and more Born on October 7, 1926, in Texas' Marshall, Opal Lee is a retired educator and counselor. Her parents relocated their three children to Fort Worth when she was 9. While growing up, she learned about Juneteenth from the annual celebrations in her neighborhood. She finished high school at 16 and later graduated in 1953 with a Bachelor's Degree in Education and a Minor in English from Wiley College in Marshall. She returned to university to get a Master's Degree in Educational Counseling and Guidance. According to the National Women's History Museum, her home was destroyed by a mob of around 500 people in 1939 during one such celebration. She decided most of her life to preserve the history of Juneteenth. She came into the spotlight in 2016, when she kickstarted a 1,400-mile trek from Fort Worth to Washington, D.C. at the age of 89. This was done to recognize Juneteenth as a national holiday. In 2021, then US President Joe Biden officially declared Juneteenth a federal holiday. Last year, Lee was awarded the Medal of Freedom, recognizing her pivotal role in the establishment of Juneteenth as a federal holiday in the US. Juneteenth is being observed on Thursday, June 19, this year. She taught within the Fort Worth Independent School District for a total of 15 years. She is 98 years old.
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Beloved Dallas family restaurant closes forever after nearly 63 years
In this day and age, it's a wonder traditional sit-down restaurants survive at all. With all of the elements necessary to run a restaurant - food costs, rent, transportation, labor - getting more expensive by the day, restaurant closings seem to be happening with the same frequency as restaurant openings. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Places that have managed to stay relevant and keep serving for decades, like Hong Kong Restaurant in Dallas, are increasingly rare. Restaurants serving Chinese food also have a unique spot in the U.S. culinary scene, and Chinese food is consistently one of the most most popular types of ethnic cuisine. Related: Mexican chain surprisingly closes restaurants, no bankruptcy "Americans fell in love with Chinese food not because of its gastronomic excellence, but because of its affordability and convenience. They preferred the quick and simple dishes of China while shunning its haute cuisine," writes UC Irvine History Professor Yong Chen in his book, "Chop Suey, USA: The Story of Chinese Food in America." Chinese food was the first mass-consumed food in the U.S., and the abundance of Chinese restaurants in mid-20th century America was also a reflection of limited opportunities for Chinese Americans, according to Chen. At the time, Chinese people were barred from many occupations, so they successfully turned Chinese food into a dominant force in the restaurant market, creating a critical lifeline for their community, according to Chen. Over the years, Chinese restaurants have thrived in cities with vibrant Chinese immigrant populations like San Francisco and New York, but also in cities like Chicago and Dallas. Image source: Steve Russell/Now Dallas' oldest continuously operating Chinese restaurant, Hong Kong Restaurant, has closed permanently. Bill Pon co-founded Hong Kong Restaurant in 1962 in the 9000 block of Garland Road in East Dallas. Bill immigrated to the U.S. in 1928, arriving in California when he was 14. He worked in several restaurants in California's Chinese restaurant hub, San Francisco, before moving to Dallas and opening his restaurant here, according to WFAA. "Bill kind of worked his way up through the Chinese food scene in California. At one point, he was a chef at a hotel in San Francisco, where he was able to serve First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt," said Dallas Asian American Historical Society Executive Director Stephanie Drenka. Bill Pon's grandson Justin told WFAA his grandfather had studied cooking around the world, at one point going back to China to refine his skills. Related: One of Texas's oldest BBQ joints is closing permanently after 34 years In Texas, Bill became the first Asian American invited to become a member of the Texas Chefs Association. "It was kind of his dream to open up restaurants. He had a lot of aspirations. He wanted to do cooking classes, and he did. He taught cooking classes, he'd have schools come in, and he'd teach kids how to make egg rolls and wontons," Justin recalled. "He was basically breaking social barriers to have a nice dining experience that people who weren't familiar with the food could go and get acquainted with eating Chinese food, basically, at that time." The Asian American Historical Society researched the restaurant extensively for a 2023 exhibition called Leftovers, which was focused on the history of early Chinese restaurants in Dallas. The next-oldest Chinese restaurant in Dallas is believed to be Royal China, which celebrated its 50th birthday in 2024. The closure of Hong Kong Restaurant had locals reflecting on the restaurant as a "warm, casual spot" that held a special place in their lives. Community members highlighted its cultural icon status and noted the personal bonds established across an eternity of meals. Independent eateries like Hong Kong Restaurant face an uphill battle even in the best of times, and the current owners decided to retire. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, just 34.6% of restaurants survive more than 10 years, as reported on So for an independent business to last more than six decades is an achievement worthy of celebration. Related: Beloved local family diner closing after nearly 40 years The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
7NEWS
5 days ago
- General
- 7NEWS
Texas postman adopts dog after elderly customer dies
A US postman has stepped in to rescue a dog that he befriended on his daily route after the animal's elderly owner died. When Texas man Ian Burke adopted German shepherd and border collie mix Floyd from an animal shelter earlier this month, it wasn't the first time they had crossed paths. The pair actually go way back, with Burke first meeting Floyd three years ago while delivering the mail to his Vietnam veteran owner. 'He got out the door and he charged at me, right like a little puppy,' Burke told local ABC affiliate WFAA. Burke said Floyd was 'loved and cherished' by his owner and that he enjoyed stopping by the elderly man's house every week. However, a year-and-a-half ago Burke's delivery route was changed, meaning the end of his weekly visits with the man and his beloved dog. In late May, Burke received some awful news from the postman that had taken over his old route — the veteran had died and Floyd had been taken to a local animal shelter. The postie's next decision was an easy one. He was going to take Floyd home. 'I went down to the shelter at about 10 am when they opened. I got there at 9.50am to make sure I was first in line,' he said. 'I'm taking this guy home with me. 'I don't take it lightly, (this isn't) some random dog I'm adopting.' Burke said he felt a kind of responsibility for Floyd. 'I think (his former owner) would be pleased to know his former mailman is taking good care of his dog,' he said. '(It's) probably one of the best things the postal service inadvertently issued me.'
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
May Data: Dallas-Fort Worth Home Listings Lead Nation
Dallas-Fort Worth's home inventory surged to its highest level in years, according to data from In May, home listings in the Metroplex were up 16.7% compared to one year prior. Nearly 33,780 homes were listed in the month, the highest number of listings in any market in the country. Bill Kitchens, director of market analytics at said the results indicate a recovery to the trends witnessed before the pandemic kicked off. 'We're seeing this shift in the balance of power moving closer in favor of the buyers. The buyers have more options than they had a year ago or even two years ago, so it's an indication that we're seeing a much more balanced market compared to not too long ago,' he said, per WFAA. In terms of growth, DFW ranked No. 17. Nationally, average home inventory expanded by 17.2%, with Atlanta taking the top spot in May at 41.6%. Prospective buyers will likely welcome the plethora of options currently available in DFW; sellers, not so much. 'For someone who's selling their home, I think it's important to understand that they may have more competition than they've had in the past, and this also affects price,' said Kitchens. It is not just homes that are leading in the real estate sector in North Texas. Last month, The Dallas Express detailed a report from Lodging Econometrics that said Dallas led the nation with the largest hotel construction pipeline during the first quarter of 2025. In Q1, the Big D boasted 203 projects covering 24,496 rooms, a record high.
