Robocall bank scams in full force
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Our phones are the targets. Autodial is the technique. And right now, scammers are working overtime.
Phones nationwide are being bombarded with illegal robocall messages like this:
JP Morgan Chase bank, informing that your Mastercard is locked for security reasons. To unlock it, please press one now."
Chase is not doing this, and neither is Mastercard. Regardless of the bank or credit card company name being used -- it's a scam!
The fraud departments at financial institutions nationwide are constantly watching for suspicious activity on our accounts, but they do not use impersonal robocalls to alert you to fraud.
Banks and card companies want us all to take note. Whenever you get any call or text claiming there's a security issue or any question about your account. Hang up immediately and call the customer service number on the back of your card.
As I've warned before, if you don't recognize the number on caller ID, let it go to voice mail. And remember, three robocall and text scam rules:
- Never press any numbers when instructed.
- Never , ever reply
- Notify your bank or credit card company right away.
Finally, don't keep the alerts to yourself. One reason we continue to get so many of these calls and texts is the shocking number of people who respond- especially people who miss the alerts. So help spread the word. Email your friends and neighbors, don't assume they all know. Share this with your Facebook friends. Share the link on Twitter.
Scammers use the power of technology to rip us off. Let's use that same power to help our money out of their grubby paws.
I received a call this morning at 3:52AM - unfortunately I did answer because I was sound asleep and a call at that time of night is usually an emergency. I don't bank with Chase. Any thoughts on how to stop this??
I've got to the point with these robocalls that I don't even answer the phone unless I know the number that shows up on my Caller ID. And 99.9% of the time these callers won't leave a voice mail. Â
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It's also to the point where the "Do Not Call" list is absolutely worthless. The FCC isn't doing anything to stop this garbage. And the websites where you leave comments are worthless too. You can bet the FCC doesn't look at them. They know full well there are many thousands of robocalls going out every day.
there are numerous web sites with caller id comment areas. I use http://whocalled.usÂ
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These people typically have NO personal information about you at all, they dialed your phone number at random. They will try to get all the information from you during the call, ie, "please confirm the spelling of your last name", same for the address, creditcard number itself, etc. Once they have all the info they need, they will go after your account.  It may not happen in one call either, if you give up a little on one call, they can easily store that info along with your phone number, and on later calls, ask you to "confirm" other information.
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I answered my phone a couple of days ago without checking caller id first. A woman was trying to get funds for Mary Bridge Childrens Hospital. I hung up because I don't trust anyone on the phone these days. Checked the number and it was area code 703. Another scam?Â
My wife just got a call from these scammers with caller ID "0000000000"
Just ignore these numbers. If it's important, i'm sure they'll leave a message which then you can determine if it's worth your concern.
We got one of these calls about a week ago and we immediately called the bank, knew it was A SCAM!
Received one of those calls the other day on my cell phone. I though it was funny in that I do not bank with Chase nor do I have a MasterCard. I think it is sad that people fall for this. Call your bank directly don't let them give you the number (if you do not hang up on them immediately)
Connie! What happens if I did push 1 on my cell phone when I got the fraud/scam all?? Heidi
 @Heidi Just pressing 1 doesn't compromise your financial information, but it does tell the scammers that you probably have an account with the bank they mentioned, and that you might fall for that sort of thing. If you just let it go to voicemail, or at least avoid responding if you do pick up, they're less likely to try calling you again.