New Phone Phishing Scam Hits TX

[srwatters]

Folks, be very wary of a call to your cell phone that originates from area code 615 (Lebanon, TN). Last night I received a call at 8:12PM from an automated system telling me that my Texas Credit Union debit card had been deactivated due to online fraud. The system asked for my 16 digit card number, at which point I hung up. I do have an account with the Texans Credit Union (note it's different) and called them this morning to see what was up. They told me this scam had just started last night and they have reported it to the FBI.

Just keep on your toes... First time I've been hit with a phone phishing scam.

[jeffro20]

Hmmm...Lebanon...that sounds suspicious right there.

[Brains]

Just enter 4111-1111-1111-1111 .. It's a valid number as far as the validation pattern is concerned, but it's not an issued credit card number. It's widely used for testing, and would be fun to see what the scam caller would do next

[CaptainTom]

slightly on topic.

I've gotten several calls where the caller speaks what appears to be Chinese.
What's up with that ?

[andyz]

These scams continue because they work. But the truth is, financial institutions don't generally make calls like this. So you are wise to ignore it. If you happen to bank there, I would let them know so they can warn other customers.

Another scam that I shake my head at was on the news this morning. Two men who claimed to be Nigerians approached an elderly man near Waco at an HEB gas station. They told him for $3,000 now, they would give him $40,000 later. The newscaster may have said $4,000, but that isn't what it sounded like. In any case, who believes you get that kind of return? On one hand I'm sorry for the man, but on the other...

[Crashoran]

Originally Posted by andyz

These scams continue because they work. But the truth is, financial institutions don't generally make calls like this. So you are wise to ignore it. If you happen to bank there, I would let them know so they can warn other customers.

Another scam that I shake my head at was on the news this morning. Two men who claimed to be Nigerians approached an elderly man near Waco at an HEB gas station. They told him for $3,000 now, they would give him $40,000 later. The newscaster may have said $4,000, but that isn't what it sounded like. In any case, who believes you get that kind of return? On one hand I'm sorry for the man, but on the other...

About a year ago, somebody knocked on my grandmother's door (she was 89 with alzheimer's). He told her she needed to sell all of her farmland to the city and she sold it for $10,000.

Don't ask me why she was still in charge of her financials, but she was.

My uncle (who happens to be a lawyer) and my aunt (who happens to be a judge) went after him and got the transaction reversed. The land is worth millions..

People will do anything to take advantage of elderly.

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by srwatters

Folks, be very wary of a call to your cell phone that originates from area code 615 (Lebanon, TN). Last night I received a call at 8:12PM from an automated system telling me that my Texas Credit Union debit card had been deactivated due to online fraud. The system asked for my 16 digit card number, at which point I hung up. I do have an account with the Texans Credit Union (note it's different) and called them this morning to see what was up. They told me this scam had just started last night and they have reported it to the FBI.

Just keep on your toes... First time I've been hit with a phone phishing scam.

Thanks for the heads up, Scott.