Over the weekend I received the following two text messages:
8888745817@cuna.org / / Credit Union N.A. Please call us immediately at 1-888-874-5817 regarding recent restriction placed on your account. Thank you.
ApplicationCenter / This is an automated message from First Hawaiian Bank. Your ATM card has been suspended. To reactivate call urgent at 1-888-874-9525.
Needless to say I didn’t call either number. Instead I called my bank, First Hawaiian Bank, and reported it to them. By the customer service representative’s line of questioning I got the impression that this was a problem for T-Mobile subscribers. The phone I received the text messages on is on T-Mobile.
If you get any text messages from any bank asking you to call a number and give them account information, don’t. Call your bank’s customer service line instead. To get this number, look on the back of your ATM card or find it on their website. Never give any personal information to anybody purporting to be your bank, your credit card provider, anybody, unless you know without a doubt that the number you are calling is your bank. If someone calls you, do not give any personal information.
Social engineering attacks like this are one of the easiest ways to retrieve personal information. Do not become a victim. Protect your personal information, and keep yourself safe.
#1 by Rachael on 02 October 2009 - 4:16 pm
This happened to me to, same type of thing but it was from “bank of america” -I don’t even bank there
#2 by Linda on 10 May 2011 - 5:01 am
My brother had the same problem. He called the number though. Better call your bank! Just as you suggest!