Sheriff's office issues pointers about debit card fraud

Imagine receiving a text message from your bank confirming you have deactivated your debit card. It says if you have any questions, you should contact the bank. Of course, you immediately call the number in the text message to say you have not deactivated your debit card. The person on the line is apologetic and offers to instantly reactivate your debit card. All he needs you to do is verify you are in possession of your debit card and you are who you say you. He then asks you to read your debit card account number to him, along with the three-digit security code on the back of your card and then give him your Social Security number. The only catch is the message was not from your bank, but rather a con artist and now he has the information needed to drain your bank account and get your credit information. Avoid becoming a victim: • Remember that your bank or credit card company will not text message you. • Find your bank's phone number by looking at your monthly statement and call that number. • If in doubt, call the Fraud Line

"In this case, the con artist has tricked the victim into believing they have initiated the call, therefore it is safe to give the person on the other end of the line their account and personal information. Please remember, if it was not your idea to call someone and you are doing so at the direction of another, then you did not really initiate the call," said Sheriff Mike Scott.

For assistance, call the Sheriff's Office Fraud Line at 477-1242.