Banking

Bank card scammers are at it again

by Patrick Flanagan

There's another debit/credit card scam making the rounds - the second this year - this time via a robo call purportedly from MidSouth Bank.

There's another debit/credit card scam making the rounds - the second this year - this time via a robo call purportedly from MidSouth Bank.

According to a press release issued Tuesday by MidSouth, a majority of the reported incidents have involved non-customers saying they received a robo call from one of two numbers: 877-886-1996 or 877-635-0049.

The people receiving the calls say the automated message is claiming their MidSouth debit or credit card has been deactivated, which is then followed by an attempt to redirect their call to an alleged customer service representative.

These recent incidents mark the second such phone scam this year following a strikingly similar attempt in March that targeted customers of banks from throughout Louisiana.

According to Tuesday's press release, customers should be aware that MidSouth will never contact them via phone and ask about their accounts.

"MidSouth Bank stresses that its customers always be mindful that the bank will NEVER contact them to request personal information about their account," the release states. "The bank will never ask for your debit or credit card number, expiration date or PIN. Additionally, the bank does not ask third-party vendors to contact its customers regarding account activity, including debit card problems or deactivation."

MidSouth is cooperating with authorities to identify the source of the scam, and customers concerned that their personal information has been compromised are encouraged to contact the bank at 1-800-213-2265 or by visiting one of the branches listed here.