A new bank fraud scheme is hitting senior citizens on Long Island hard. Authorities are warning residents to be on high alert.
How the Scam Works
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine recently announced that scammers are calling seniors, pretending to be their bank. They claim the victim’s bank account is under attack and their cards are no longer working. The crooks then offer to pick up the cards, tricking victims into revealing their PINs. After obtaining the PIN, the scammers simply withdraw the money from ATMs. This has already affected multiple seniors in the area.
Police Advice: Don’t Fall Victim!
The Suffolk County Police Department urges everyone to be cautious and follow these simple steps to avoid becoming a victim:
- Don’t answer unknown calls: Scammers can fake caller ID to appear legitimate.
- Hang up on suspicious calls: If a caller asks for money or makes demands, hang up immediately. Then, contact the company directly using a number you know to be genuine (like the one on the back of your card).
- Never give out personal information: This includes your PIN, account numbers, and any other sensitive data.
- No one from your bank will come to your home to collect your card:
If someone claims otherwise, it’s a scam. - Never wire money or send gift cards to anyone you don’t know and trust.
If you believe you’ve been targeted by this scam, contact your bank and the police immediately.
