Post by kas on Jan 16, 2011 21:34:30 GMT -5
Bank says beware of debit card scam
Official: Residents and businesses received calls seeking card information
DAN DAVIS • American Managing Editor • January 15, 2011
Great Southern National Bank officials on Friday warned of a debit card scam targeting Hattiesburg and Meridian residents.
Ken Lee, bank president, said the bank learned that calls had been made to various residents and businesses from someone seeking debit card information.
He said on some calls, the person heard an electronic message saying the call was from the bank and the person's debit card had been compromised. They were instructed to key in their debit card number on their phone. Even the bank got one of the calls.
Other prospective victims received calls from a real person, Lee said.
Lee said customers should not provide any personal information over the phone.
He said the bank does not ask for such information over the phone.
If there was a problem with an account, the customer would be asked to come to the bank.
"The bank will never require this from the customer since we already have the information," he said.
Anyone getting one of the calls is asked to contact the bank at 545-2700.
Lee said calls were being made to bank customers and non-customers.
"They are just going through the phone book and making calls," he said.
The scam is one of many that have been reported to law enforcement agencies around the nation.
The Mississippi Attorney General's office has posted a warning on its website, www.ago.state.ms.us, about another credit card scam.
In this scam, the scammers already have the person's card number. But they need to get the card's security code.
The caller poses as a representative of Visa, MasterCard or some other company.
They tell the caller that the credit card has been flagged for an unusual purchase.
The caller will ask if the person purchased an anti-telemarketing device for $497.99 from a marketing company based in Arizona or some other product.
When the person says no, the scammer says a credit will be issued to the person's account.
He will then say he "needs to verify you are in possession of your card."
He'll ask to provide the security numbers on the back of the card.
"What the scammer wants is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. With this number they can make Internet purchases against your card.
"To protect yourself, never give this number to anyone calling for it that you did not initiate the call. Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or MasterCard directly," the attorney general's office said.
Official: Residents and businesses received calls seeking card information
DAN DAVIS • American Managing Editor • January 15, 2011
Great Southern National Bank officials on Friday warned of a debit card scam targeting Hattiesburg and Meridian residents.
Ken Lee, bank president, said the bank learned that calls had been made to various residents and businesses from someone seeking debit card information.
He said on some calls, the person heard an electronic message saying the call was from the bank and the person's debit card had been compromised. They were instructed to key in their debit card number on their phone. Even the bank got one of the calls.
Other prospective victims received calls from a real person, Lee said.
Lee said customers should not provide any personal information over the phone.
He said the bank does not ask for such information over the phone.
If there was a problem with an account, the customer would be asked to come to the bank.
"The bank will never require this from the customer since we already have the information," he said.
Anyone getting one of the calls is asked to contact the bank at 545-2700.
Lee said calls were being made to bank customers and non-customers.
"They are just going through the phone book and making calls," he said.
The scam is one of many that have been reported to law enforcement agencies around the nation.
The Mississippi Attorney General's office has posted a warning on its website, www.ago.state.ms.us, about another credit card scam.
In this scam, the scammers already have the person's card number. But they need to get the card's security code.
The caller poses as a representative of Visa, MasterCard or some other company.
They tell the caller that the credit card has been flagged for an unusual purchase.
The caller will ask if the person purchased an anti-telemarketing device for $497.99 from a marketing company based in Arizona or some other product.
When the person says no, the scammer says a credit will be issued to the person's account.
He will then say he "needs to verify you are in possession of your card."
He'll ask to provide the security numbers on the back of the card.
"What the scammer wants is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. With this number they can make Internet purchases against your card.
"To protect yourself, never give this number to anyone calling for it that you did not initiate the call. Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or MasterCard directly," the attorney general's office said.
www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20110115/NEWS01/101150325