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Phone scam seeking bank information targets Basin residents
by Shanna Sissom
Midland Reporter-Telegram
Phone scam seeking bank information targets Basin
By Shanna Sissom
City Editor
Dozens of Midland and Odessa residents flooded the Better Business Bureau phone lines Wednesday, reporting a pushy man calling with a scheme to obtain bank account information.
But due to the high volume of reports, officials are concerned many they didn't hear from unknowingly may have been victimized, and with personal financial information, the culprit could wipe out their accounts.
"I kind of quit counting after the first two dozen calls," Better Business Bureau spokesperson Heather Francell said. By late morning, reports had become so rampant she alerted the news media hoping to get word out to unsuspecting residents. "We're just worried there's going to be a lot more people; how many people have not called us?"
The culprit claims to be with the "National Verification League" or "International Verification Society," or something along those lines.
As the scheme goes, the man claims the person's account information has ended up on the Internet, and authorities say he is tricky and aggressive in pursuing account numbers.
At least one woman reported having given her information, but has since frozen her accounts, the Better Business Bureau said.
The preliminary investigation indicates the caller randomly "hijacked" other phone numbers, making it appear on caller ID he was calling from the residences of innocent parties.
Meanwhile officials reiterate the importance of never giving out personal or financial information to callers, because if so, "They have access to all your funds," Francell said.
The Midland Police Department also reported receiving complaints throughout the day.
"This is a scam to get your personal information, in one of the most direct approaches we've seen," Francell said.
People concerned their personal information may have been compromised are urged to contact their financial institutions to flag or watch their accounts.
To report such calls or check out any company, contact the Permian Basin Better Business Bureau at 563-1880.
On the Web:
www.bbb.org
Shanna Sissom can be reached at shanna@mrt.com
By Shanna Sissom
City Editor
Dozens of Midland and Odessa residents flooded the Better Business Bureau phone lines Wednesday, reporting a pushy man calling with a scheme to obtain bank account information.
But due to the high volume of reports, officials are concerned many they didn't hear from unknowingly may have been victimized, and with personal financial information, the culprit could wipe out their accounts.
"I kind of quit counting after the first two dozen calls," Better Business Bureau spokesperson Heather Francell said. By late morning, reports had become so rampant she alerted the news media hoping to get word out to unsuspecting residents. "We're just worried there's going to be a lot more people; how many people have not called us?"
The culprit claims to be with the "National Verification League" or "International Verification Society," or something along those lines.
As the scheme goes, the man claims the person's account information has ended up on the Internet, and authorities say he is tricky and aggressive in pursuing account numbers.
At least one woman reported having given her information, but has since frozen her accounts, the Better Business Bureau said.
The preliminary investigation indicates the caller randomly "hijacked" other phone numbers, making it appear on caller ID he was calling from the residences of innocent parties.
Meanwhile officials reiterate the importance of never giving out personal or financial information to callers, because if so, "They have access to all your funds," Francell said.
The Midland Police Department also reported receiving complaints throughout the day.
"This is a scam to get your personal information, in one of the most direct approaches we've seen," Francell said.
People concerned their personal information may have been compromised are urged to contact their financial institutions to flag or watch their accounts.
To report such calls or check out any company, contact the Permian Basin Better Business Bureau at 563-1880.
On the Web:
www.bbb.org
Shanna Sissom can be reached at shanna@mrt.com
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