DESOTO COUNTY, MS (abc24.com) - Scammers are targeting Mid-South banks, trying to get your money. The Feds and the state don't know who they are or how many are out there, but the number of victims is growing.
The attack is mainly on Mississippi bank customers who are being bombarded with phishing phone calls. The state's sending out warnings, but the scammers are staying one step ahead.
First reports of this scam started Memorial Day weekend. The number of complaints has tripled in the last two weeks, with customers at not one or two, but three different banks being duped.
"This is a very broad scam," says Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley. "Banks don't call for your personal information and don't get taken by these scams."
Scammers are asking for debit card information, expiration dates and more.
"Do not give this information out to anyone and certainly never over the telephone," Presley says. His office has received hundreds of complaints.
The con artists are targeting customers at several northern Mississippi banks. In May it was BancorpSouth, then Rensant. Now in June, it's Community Bank.
"We know hundreds of people have been duped and taken advantage of, several hundred dollars taken out of accounts. In some cases, cleaned them out," Presley tells abc24.com.
The scammers aren't just phoning for information, they're also sending out text messages.
"It's very important for people to hang up on these people. If you get one of these text messages, just delete it."
Presley's working with the Federal Trade Commission to trace the crooks. In the meantime, he's warning everyone.
"These scams seem to be roaming. They'll bombard people in Mississippi for a while, then move to another state. We want people to be on guard about it and know these types of calls are going out."
If you've given out information over the phone, contact your bank immediately.
