HARKER HEIGHTS, Texas — Josephine Farthing, a Vietnam veteran with 41 years of government service, thought she was making a smart financial move when she signed up for a Chase Bank promotion. The offer seemed straightforward: set up direct deposits to a checking and savings account for three months, and receive a $1,000 bonus.

"I thought, hey, that's pretty good to do," Farthing said. "I thought that would be a nice Christmas present to myself."

Working from home, Farthing set up her direct deposits online, directing $300 monthly to checking and $3,000 monthly to savings. For three months, she watched her paycheck confirm the money was leaving her account.

"I never checked anything," she said. "I just did my direct deposit and I could see from my paycheck that yes, the money was going t

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