Warning over phony bank alert scam
The Enquirer • January 28, 2011
The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to beware of any phone messages or text alerts from financial institutions because they could be part of a scam.
The latest is a message/text that is purportedly from U.S. Bank. The messages instruct consumers to call an 800 number because there has been an alert placed on their bank account.
Instead of a normal banking customer service system, which asks callers to walk through numeric or voice prompts to provide service, the 800 number tells callers they have reached U.S. Bank and a customer service representative will be with them shortly. It then connects callers with a person who identifies themselves as a representative of U.S. Bank.
A call to the US Bank Fraud Alert department confirmed that the 800 number was not a US Bank number and that the call was a scam.
The phony call center number is a close variation of the real US Bank customer service number, 800-872-2657, which could confuse customers. The real customer service number offers customers the option to use the service in Spanish, which the fake number does not.
During a BBB test call to the phony 800 number, the representative refused to provide any information about what type of alerts or activity the initial message referred to unless specific account information was provided. When the BBB caller asked to speak with a supervisor, the alleged bank representative again refused unless specific account information was first provided even though the BBB caller explained the reasons for concern.
If you receive a text or phone message claiming to be from any bank or financial institution, the BBB advises you to immediately contact the customer service number on your banking card or statement.
http://nky.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/...301280037/