LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 23, 2013) — The Lexington Division of Police Financial Crimes Unit is warning citizens about two phone scams involving debit and credit cards.
Investigators have received information from financial institutions indicating that customers’ debit card numbers are being stolen and compromised by fraudulent means.
Scam 1
In the first scam the victim is contacted by telephone, through an automated system posing as the debit card company’s “fraud monitoring department.” The automated phone message tells the victim their debit card has been compromised, and then instructs the victim them to enter their debit card number, effectively stealing it. This phone number is showing up on Caller I.D. as 559-5.
Scam 2
In the second scam, the victim is also contacted by telephone. This time the automated message tells the victim, “Your debit card has been suspended. Press 1 to speak with a representative.” Upon contact with the false representative (suspect) the card information is given.
These are scams. Customers should never give any personal or account information to individuals who contact them via telephone or email asking for information. Most financial institutions will have a live operator that customers can speak with, Lexington Police said.
It is recommended that if customers receive a phone call like this, they hang up and contact their financial institution or debit/credit card issuer directly.
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