AG warns of debit card scam

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin has put out a warning to alert bank customers about the latest debit card scam, in which the scammer seeks to get sensitive bank account information.
The scenario is that the consumer receives an automated or “robo call” claming that their debit card has been compromised, suspended or deactivated, according to a press release from the attorney general’s office. The customer gets a prompt to speak to a live operator or is given a callback number and then are asked for bank account information, such as debit card numbers, PIN codes or bank account numbers.
Kilmartin said that during mid-May, his office received an uptick in complaints that were related to the scam.
“Technology has made it cheap and easy for thieves to blanket unsuspecting consumers with fraudulent calls, often originating outside the state and even possibly outside the country,” said Kilmartin. “Fortunately, none of the consumers who have contacted our office have fallen prey to this scam, which shows that education really is the best way to protect oneself from these criminal outfits.”
In order to protect personal financial information, the attorney warned consumers never to give out account information to someone who calls, because banks don’t call to request those details;, not to return any suspicious calls; to call the bank directly if a questionable call is received; and to monitor accounts daily to be alert to any suspicious activity.

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