Bank scammers at it again!

[Looking_for_911]

Earlier this week I noticed a somewhat suspicious entry on my checking account history for the past few weeks. I went to my local bank and a nice young woman assured me that I had nothing to worry about and that she would handle my inquiry. What happened was a gas station had ran a verification in the amount of 100 instead of 1.00 like they normally do when you pay at the pump. When I left all was well.

Fast forward to this morning. My cell phone message tone alerts me to a text message. I check it and it says it is from my bank and my account has been "locked" and that I must call this toll-free number.
I call it, not really awake yet and because I had the inquiry at the bank earlier in the week.
The Recorded message tells me they do not recognize the number I am calling from so "please enter your card number...." And if memory serves, they asked for my PIN as well.
Well, I was standing beside my GF when this was taking place and was talking out loud to myself. She yelled, "Don't! Hang Up!" I couldn't have entered the card number because I don't know it off hand, but the PIN I do.

Well, she informs me that it was a scam. I thought so, too, but wasn't completely sure as I had been talking to the bank previously this week.

Then it occured to me, the number they called on was my Cell number. That number is on no paperwork at the bank! I did, however leave it with them this week so they could call me back with info about my inquiry.

I called the bank, talked to the same woman I dealt with earlier. She told me that in no way were these two incidents connected and that I had just been "phished" for info. After reminding me that the bank would never send a text message or voicemail asking for account info she reassured me that my funds are still there and the accounts are not "locked."

Here's the thing that I'm trying to figure out. My cell number is not in my name. My dad bought 5 phones when he got his plan and handed them out to the kids and his wife.
How did the "phishers" pick up on my number and my particular bank? It's not a national one but a small local one with a handful of branches. If this was a coincidence it is a scary one.

[NineOhOne]

There are ways. You'd be surprised how many places your cell number might show up. Have you Google'ed it? I Google'ed my (allegedly unpublished) home and office numbers. Both showed up with my name and address.

Also had a similar experience. Someone charged $2.10 to my card. Received a call from my bank almost immediately. I suspected the caller could have been "phishing" (or more recently named "vishing") so I told them I'd call the bank myself.

Bank confirmed that someone (a homebuilder in another state) charged my card for a small amount in hopes of validating it. Had it not been caught, they would have come back in a day or so for the big win.

I am cautious to a fault with my card/personal info. Everything gets shredded. I click on nothing, etc. Yet these idiots still managed to get my card info.

Can't trust anyone these days.

[Looking_for_911]

Can't trust anyone these days.[/QUOTE]



How sad, but True!