Bank customers fall victim to phone scam

A new phone-calling bank scam could affect Bloomington residents. Customers and non-customers of Peoples State Bank and Fifth Third Bank in Bloomington have reported a telephone scam.

Fifth Third bank has already received more than 30 calls from customers asking about the call. 

The scam works like this: A person receives a phone call with an automated voice stating that the person’s banking information has been compromised. The person is asked to hit option one and input his or her account number. 

The scam does not indicate a specific financial institution. 

Natalie Guzman, vice president and public relations director for Fifth Third Bank, said the scam started late Sunday night.

“These scams happen all the time, so this one just really caught us by particular surprise just by the vast number of calls we got this morning,” Guzman said. 

Guzman stressed how important it is for people to know that no financial institution will ever ask for personal information via phone, text or e-mail. 

Bloomington resident Chris Poland, 19, just opened his first bank account at Fifth Third Bank about a week ago and said he hadn’t heard about the scam. 

“I would never give my information like that over the phone,” Poland said. “I just know better.”

Bloomington Police Department Lt. David Drake said he also hopes people understand that once a scammer has an individual’s account information, there is little local police departments can do to track the person because of the technology available today. 

Guzman said right now there is probably little damage done by this scam. She said it typically takes about a week for a customer who gave out information to call and
complain after noticing a charge or changes in his or her bank account.

“With the right computer equipment, you can make a call look like it’s coming from anywhere, from any number, from any location,” Drake said. “So the bottom line to everything is: you do not give out any personal information to anyone over the telephone or Internet unless you know for sure who you are dealing with and you are the one who has made the contact.”