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Crime Watch group warns cell phone owners not to give out critical information over the phone.
WILKES-BARRE – Charlotte Raup, head of the Wilkes-Barre Crime Watch Organization, on Monday cautioned people about an apparent credit scam via cell phones.
Raup said a friend of hers recently received a phone call on her cell phone.
“She said it sounded like an automated call because there was a pause when she answered,” Raup said. “The message told her there was a breach of security involving her Master Card debit card and that the card was being de-activated. The message told her she could re-activate the card by entering her credit card number after the beep.”
Raup said her friend became suspicious because she did not have a Master Card credit card or debit account.
“But her Master Card debit card is tied to her prescription flex-spending plan where she works,” Raup said.
Raup said her friend never provides her cell phone number as a contact.
“She called the company that handles the flex program and they told her they did not make the call,” Raup said. “It was a scam. Never give out your credit card number to anyone who calls you.”
Raup said if someone calls you about a credit card, Social Security number, or a bank account you should never give any personal information over the phone.
“First of all, if they were representatives of your bank or credit company, they would already have that information,” Raup said. “If you get a call asking for the information, tell them to tell you what it is.”
Raup said Crime Watch has received numerous reports lately of similar scam calls.
“There is more identity theft going on than ever before,” she said. “It all needs to be reported to authorities.”