West Bend Savings account holders, beware! – a phishing’ scam currently running in Wisconsin is trying to break into your savings account. Using an automated message, the scam may call you at your home with the ruse that your account security has been compromised. You are asked to call at a particular number and key in your account and PIN numbers, to set things right.
Interestingly, while your Caller-Id may say the call is from the local West Bend Savings branch, the caller may actually be sitting hundreds (or maybe thousands) of miles away. Internet-based 262 phone numbers, said to be used by the scammers in this case, can make this thing happen.
The bank’s Chief Operating Officer Rick Larson believes the calls were triggered over the weekend. He pointed out that you don’t have to be an account holder with the bank to receive this call. The bank received thousands of calls from Dodge, Washington and Ozaukee Counties indicating that the fraudsters may be carpet-bombing the Wisconsin area with such calls. Fraudsters are hoping one-in-a-thousand to bite the bait and give away their money.
This is the second time in about six months that the bank has been made the target of this scam. It was December last when the scam first hit the bank. It seems, that attempt was successful enough for the scammers to order an encore.
There is no reason for falling to such scams. Think of it. Why should banks ever call you asking for your Account Number. They already have it.
In any case, if they have your phone number then surely they ought to have your account number as well!