The Random Ramblings of Samm Diep

Phone Fraud (a public service announcement)

Received the following message from my friend Chaddie:

Wachovia has become aware that someone or a group of individuals making telephone calls are claiming to be from the American Bankers Association (ABA). These individuals are part of an identity theft scam.

ABA Warns of Fraudulent Phone Calls—March 12, 2007It's been reported that con artists are calling people in Texas, Ohio, and Pennsylvania and telling them that their personal information is on the Internet.

These calls are not being made by the ABA. This telephone scam is being used to obtain personal financial information that ABA would never request.

Things To Do to Avoid This ScamThe ABA is working with law enforcement to identify the source of the phone calls and stop them. Here's what you can do:

Never give out your financial information to anyone unless you have initiated the contact—this includes emails

If you have already responded to this type of call or email by providing your personal financial information, contact your financial institution immediately to protect your account

Inform the ABA about fraudulent phone calls and emails that use ABA's name by sending them to alert@aba.com

posted by Samm @ 3/14/2007 09:58:00 PM