A phone scam that spread wildly through Western New York on Monday netted a few local victims, although most people didn't fall for the pitch.
Beginning early Monday morning, land lines and cell phones alike began ringing, with an automated message claiming to be from several financial institutions. The message told the people answering the phone that their credit or debit cards have been deactivated, and in order to reactivate them, they needed to press 1 then enter their 16 digit card number.
"Many of the calls claimed to be from Cattaraugus County Bank or Mount Vernon Money Center," said Capt. Darryl Braley of the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office. "Neither financial institution had anything to do with the calls. We also had reports of other bank names being used."
Mount Vernon Money Center put a notice on its website Monday reacting to the scam.
"We have been made aware of a scam using our telephone number to auto-dial ATM card holders. If you received a telephone call or to activate your ATM card and to call 914-664-0111, PLEASE DISREGARD," the statement read. "We are not affiliated in any way with these calls or messages. MVMC does not provide or authorize use of ATM cards. Whoever is conducting this scheme is making false representations and you should contact your own bank or take other action as you deem appropriate if you have any concerns about your bank accounts. We have contacted the authorities who are aware of the situation."
The aforementioned phone number is indeed listed to that financial institution, but there are several technologies available that can change the way a number shows on caller ID.
Additionally, Mount Vernon Money Center filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May and no longer has ATM services.
Cattaraugus County Bank posted a similar message on its website Monday urging people to keep their information to themselves.
"CCB has been notified of an automated telephone scam involving CB Check Cards. We are currently working with the authorities to rectify the situation," the statement read. "Do not enter your card number, expiration date or PIN."
Any CCB customers who did give out compromising financial information should call 1-800-523-4175 to cancel their card as soon as possible.
Braley said that as technology-based scams evolve, people need to remember that you should never give information to anyone who is contacting you out of the blue.
"If you make a call to a financial institution or make contact with someone, that is one thing," he said. "But people should never give out personal information in an unsolicited phone call or e-mail message. Most people know that but some still fall for it."
It is unclear if anyone has been defrauded of money yet, police said, but several law enforcement agencies in the region reported Monday that there were people who gave out their card numbers.