The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office was contacted yesterday by a concerned Cottonwood resident who reported a cell phone text messaging scam. The victim told deputies he had received a text message indicating unusual activity on his Visa debit/credit card account. The message instructed him to call (623)398-0539 and enter his account number and personal identification number (PIN) to find out more information. The victim smartly called his bank directly to check on the message and learned that bank officials never use text messaging to request any information from customers.
This phone number account is now under the control of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and will alert potential scam victims who call with a pre-recorded message warning of the fraud.
Scammers will no doubt use other phone numbers to try and lure bank card holders into providing their personal banking information. Regardless of the number used, you should never provide anyone personal banking information in response to a text message request. Another trick used by scammers in regards to text messaging is telling bank cardholders that their account has been deactivated. Again, the scammers request a phone call to a selected
number and a pre-recorded message asks for your bank account number and PIN.
Remember, if they are asking you for information they do not have it. The only way they can get it is if you give it to them. Smishing (text message based), phishing (email based) and vishing (voice mail-based), are all scams designed to obtain your personal information. Identity thieves can then use this information to open credit accounts in your name and make purchases. If you have elderly parents, or care for elderly persons who have access to a cell phone, be sure to warn them of this scam. Better yet, monitor any text message activity on their phones whenever possible. Remind them to never call a number provided as part of a text message and reveal any personal information.
The FTC provides a wealth of information regarding identity theft prevention at the following web site: www.ftc.gov/idtheft. The YCSO Crime Prevention Coordinator has literature and programs available regarding ID theft prevention. Please call 928-777-7441 for details.
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