SCAM ALERT
This new and sophisticated debit card scam has been shared on social media by a some law enforcement agencies and confirmed by several banks so we want to make sure you are aware. Here's how it unfolds:
The victim receives a phone call, and the caller ID displays their bank's name. The caller claims to be from the bank's fraud department and mentions specific details, such as the last four digits of the victim's debit card. They inquire if the victim has been traveling and cite two suspicious charges made at out-of-state stores (e.g., Lowe’s and Walmart). When the victim denies making these charges, the caller says they will send a new card and proceeds to confirm personal information like the victim's address and phone numbers.
The scam escalates when the caller sends a verification code to the victim’s phone and asks them to read it back. Then, the caller requests the victim's PIN, claiming it’s necessary to deactivate the old card. If the victim hesitates, the caller tries to allay their suspicions by pointing out that the call is coming from the number on the back of their card, which appears to be true due to caller ID spoofing.
In this case, the victim wisely refused to provide their PIN and insisted on calling the bank back directly, at which point the scammer hung up. Upon reporting the incident to the real bank's fraud department, the victim was informed that the bank would never ask for a PIN, as they already have access to account information. The victim's card was canceled to prevent potential fraud.
If you have concerns, it is always best to contact your bank for verification.
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