Sovereign Bank Phone Scam Hits Melrose on Sunday

Editor's note: The following is a press release from the Melrose Police Department.

On Sunday, April 24, 2011 the Melrose Police Department received several reports from residents that had received what appeared to be an automated phone message. This message had a recorded voice identified as representing Sovereign Bank.

The message then guides the recipient through several numeric prompts to access the security department of Sovereign Bank. The message then requests that the recipient enter account numbers and P.I.N. numbers in order to "re-activate" their debit accounts. At this time, we have no report of any resident actually entering their information. Sovereign Bank is not conducting any such calls.

We would like to warn all residents in the community not to fall victim to this apparent scam. Do not enter any information when solicited electronically or verbally over the phone. This electronic message was sent out to multiple residences and business, and  actually received on the business line of the police department. Melrose Police are investigating in conjunction and cooperation of Sovereign Bank.