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BBB Warns of Phony Text Messages Alleging "Problem" with Credit Union Accounts
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| 2011-09-28 |
(Lexington, KY) - The Better Business of Bureau of Central & Eastern Kentucky is warning of a text message scam hitting area cell phones that seem to warn of an "alert" being placed on the recipients' credit union card accounts. It's really an attempt to steal personal financial information. At least one victim has reported falling for the scam.
Consumers from central Kentucky have called the BBB to report that they received a text message on their phones that states the following:
18599083268@creditunionaccess.com / / A pending alert has been placed on your Credit Union card. Call toll. free: 1-859-908-3268 for more info
The phone number does not match any records in BBB files. A call to the number reaches an automated system that just says it's an "electronic verification service." It states that no live customer service representatives would be involved due to security reasons, which is why the system is automated. It then proceeds to ask for a 16 digit credit card number.
"This text message does not name a specific credit union, so it would be easy for an unsuspecting credit union customer to assume it is aimed at him or her," said Jack Frank, President and CEO of the BBB of Central & Eastern Kentucky. "But the warning remains the same...people should never assume that a text, voice or email message warning of a problem with their bank account or credit card is real. Check it out first."
Some consumers who have called the BBB said they belong to various credit unions, but some did not. Technology allows con artists to make a phone call appear to come from a local area phone number, in this case, the 859 area code, in an additional attempt to convince the consumer that the message is real.
If consumers receive a text, voice or email message indicating a problem with any of their financial accounts, they should verify whether or not it is true by calling their financial institution at a number directly from their credit card or bank statements, and NOT the number given in the message.
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Contact the Better Business Bureau of Central & Eastern Kentucky to check out companies, charities, or to report problems and scams by calling the Lexington office at (859) 259-1008 or toll-free 1-800-866-6668 or the Somerset office at (606) 678-2014. Services are also available by logging on to www.bluegrass.bbb.org.
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