Pocono News Section

Text Messages Now Used To Scam

Text Messages Now Used To Scam - Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 5:49PM EST

We have a warning tonight about a scam that has hit cell phones in our area. Some swindlers are sending text messages that could let them steal your identity.
The scam is called phishing and it's nothing new. Con-artists have been using phone calls and emails for years to lure you into giving out personal bank information. But what is new, is how they're doing it. When Richard Collins of Plains got a text message from an unknown number last week, he knew it was a “next generation scam."

The message claims his ATM card from First Columbia Bank had been deactivated. He's instructed to call a toll free number and provide account information to fix the problem. He didn't fall for it but he worries for others who may. "What’s going to happen to them if they go through and punch in numbers and all of a sudden their life savings are gone."

"We would never ask via email or text message for information." says First Columbia president and CEO Lance Diehl. He says the bank has nothing to do with this text scam. The crooks sent the texts to both customers and non-customers like Collins. This hoax is popping up around the country. “I think it's important for everyone to know who they're talking to or communicating with before they provide any bank information"

But even if you don't fall for it, these text scams can still cost you if you don’t have an unlimited texting plan. To stop them call your cell phone provider. Some have plans that could block unknown numbers."

The toll free number isn't working anymore but Collins knows it's just a matter of time before they strike again. They're not the first person to have an original idea. Stealing people's money has been going on for thousands of years."

Some cell phone service providers have different ways of blocking calls but they're not full proof. You may just want to disable the text function on your phone if you don't need it.