A major bank scam is hitting customers hard in Prince George’s County, Maryland, with losses totaling around $100,000 this year alone. Victims are using Wells Fargo, Bank of America, PNC, and other banks.
How the Scam Works
Thieves are using a sophisticated impersonation tactic. They send text messages pretending to be from major banks, warning of suspicious account activity. The texts urge victims to reply or call a fake number. Once contacted, victims are instructed to withdraw cash and deposit it into ATMs or purchase gift cards to supposedly “secure” their accounts. This is, of course, a lie.
Protecting Yourself
Police are urging residents to be vigilant. They offer the following advice:
- Verify directly: Always call your bank using the number on your card or visit a branch in person.
- Hang up: If someone pressures you to move money, hang up immediately. It’s a scam.
The Bigger Picture
This local scam is part of a much larger trend. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports a massive surge in these types of scams. Last year alone, losses reached a staggering $470 million—five times higher than in 2020. These scams often involve fake package deliveries, job offers, or “wrong number” schemes.
The FTC suggests forwarding suspicious texts to 7726 to report them.
