MENDOCINO CO., 11/23/24 – The Savings Bank of Mendocino County is warning the public of an increase in scam phone calls targeting bank customers.
According to the bank, scammers are calling customers of the bank and other financial institutions claiming that the customer’s account has been the target of fraud.
The scammers ask the customer to verify their debit card number, PIN and other personal information. After securing the requested information, scammers proceed to impersonate customers to make large debit card transactions.
The scammers also use technology to falsify their phone numbers to appear as official Savings Bank phone numbers, the bank said.
“We cannot emphasize enough how important it is NOT to give out your personal identifying information over the phone, by text or email,” said Stacey Starkey, president and CEO of the Savings Bank. “The bank will never contact you to ask you for that information.”
The bank asks that customers who receive phone calls from someone claiming to be with the Savings Bank hang up and call the bank using the phone number on their bank statements, not the caller ID.
The bank also advises that customers insert their chip card into checkout terminals when making purchases to provide added security.
If you believe you are victim of fraud or a scam call the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 463-4085.