Do you have your bank account configured to send you important alerts via text message?If so, you may want to exercise caution when responding to alerts and do your research to verify their legitimacy.
Fifth Third Bank has issued a warning to the public, stating scammers are sending out fraudulent text messages and phone calls posing as an alert that the recipient’s card has been locked.
Targets are being instructed to call a number, at which point they will be asked to disclose personal and financial information.
Fifth Third Bank has provided examples of the bogus messages to help consumers spot them as they arrive:
Fifth Third Bank alert. Debt card locked. Call XXX-XXX-XXX
Fifth Third B. Message. Your card has been locked. Call XXX-XXX-XXXX to unlock it.
FifthThirdB MJVA alert 119471.Please call (XXX)XXXXXXX
*Please note that different phone numbers are used and the phone number typically is not in service for more than a day.
If you receive a message similar to the ones shown above, Fifth Third Bank recommends that you do one of the following:- Do not respond.
- Delete the message from your cellphone.
- Check the legitimacy of the message by calling the number on the bank of your credit/debit card or the number on your most recent billing statement.
- If the message appears to be from Fifth Third Bank, forward it to 53investigation@security.53.com so they can track the phishers and shut down their operations.
If you’ve already fallen for the scam, you’re strongly advised to contact Fifth Third Bank Customer Service immediately at 1-800-676-5869.
For the record, Fifth Third Bank will never ask you to verify personal or financial information – including account numbers, passwords, pins, and social security numbers – via email, phone or text messages.
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