Alert Issued As New Scam Targets CT Banking Consumers: Here's What To Know

HARTFORD, CT — Connecticut banking customers have recently been targeted in a text scam claiming they needed to call their bank's fraud department, state Department of Banking officials said.

Several customers of Connecticut financial institutions have reported receiving such texts.

The "fraudsters" are using information collected on calls to access customer account information and record transaction detail, state banking officials said. The fraudsters then call customers back and pose as "customer support" to “confirm” the suspicious transactions that are now mixed with valid transactions to make the call seem legitimate, state banking officials said.

The fraudsters have, in some cases, told customers that they are sending a courier to collect their "compromised" bank cards. IN some cases, customers have left the cards in mailboxes for the "courier," who then takes it and proceeds to withdraw funds from an Automated Teller Machine, state banking officials said.

It has also been reported that the fraudsters are selling customer data to local groups that use the information, state banking officials said. In the past, the information would be used to attempt out-of-area purchases that would be flagged and denied by fraud monitoring software. The new pattern is that individuals are using the information for local purchases that are more difficult to detect, according to banking officials.

Banking officials said a financial institution will never call or send a customer a text requesting personal financial information, such as account numbers, social security numbers, credit card numbers, PINs, or passwords. If that happens, it is a scam, officials said.

See also: 'Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives' To Feature This Local Restaurant

• Woman Jogging Assaulted By Armed Man: Police
• 3.2% Social Security Hike Coming To Thousands Of Connecticut Residents

If a text that appears to be from a legitimate source, customers can be on the lookout for the following Red Flags:

• The text indicates there is an issue with your account
• The texts demand immediate action
• The text asks for a call to a specific telephone number or a click on a link

"Never call the number provided or click on that link. Rather, look up the number independently and use a trusted number, for example the telephone number on the back of your bank card or account statement," banking officials said. "Similarly, open a separate browser and type in the financial institution's website. This will ensure you are on the legitimate site, and will allow you to confirm the legitimacy of the text message in question.

"The key is to verify that the person or entity that contacted you is in fact the legitimate source. When it comes to your personal financial information, there is never a reason to act under pressure based on an unsolicited text or telephone call. Always make sure the person you are speaking with is in fact a representative of your financial institution, and if you cannot verify that, contact your bank or credit union independently and arrange to meet in person."

___

For additional questions or to report a fraud or scam, consumers may contact:

State of Connecticut, Department of Banking

260 Constitution Plaza | Hartford, CT 06103

Phone: 1-800-831-7225 | Website: https://portal.ct.gov/dob