Citizens Beware: Phone Scam Circulating

ST. MARY'S COUNTY - 10/14/2009

Recently there have been several reported incidents of citizens being contacted by telephone regarding their personal debit/checking banking account numbers.  If a citizen has “Caller I.D.” the automated call will appear from an “Unknown Caller."

The automated recording will state their bank issued debit/credit card has been compromised and for security purposes is being deactivated to prevent further loss.  The automated recording will then request you enter the number 1 on your touchtone phone to access the security department to reactivate your account.

You will then be asked to enter your debit/credit card number and Personal Identification Number using the keys on your touchtone phone.  Once the information has been entered the recording will state your card has been reactivated.  The information is then being used to make fraudulent purchases from your account.  The calls are also being received by persons on their cellular phones as well as home phones.

Sheriff Timothy Cameron would like to remind everyone to refrain from providing personal/banking information over the phone, or by any other means, unless the caller’s identity can be verified.