by Diana Prince
Wed Feb 24, 2010 11:11 am
This newspaper's reporters have published several stories about scams, including previous versions of this particular one regarding a local bank. Still, there are more victims yet again, in the past several days. 
This story is from the Wednesday, February 24, 2010 edition of the Press Enterprise.
Robocall scam snared 75, bank officials say
Berwick-area victims averaged $300 losses
By SUSAN SCHWARTZ
Press Enterprise Writer
BERWICK – About 75 people have lost an average of $300 to scammers who are blanketing this area with automated calls asking for bank account information, officials at First Keystone National Bank report.
"We're being inundated with calls," said Lesa Angell, spokeswoman. "... And we're as much a victim as anyone."
The rip-off netted roughly $20,000 in all.
So far, the bank has been reimbursing customers for most of their losses, she said.
But customers still must pay about $50 each in service charges to get their accounts changed, new cards issued and related expenses, she said.
The bank's losses are not covered by insurance, she said. And if a customer lets the scammers rack up thousands of dollars, the bank might not refund their money.
"They're the ones who gave out the information," said Angell.
Bank officials have called Berwick Police, federal regulators, the FBI and the state attorney general, but no one has tracked down the thieves so far, she said.
What happens
The con artists apparently have an automated system dialing every number in the local 752 and 759 telephone exchanges. Unlisted numbers have been called as well as listed numbers. The calls are not limited to bank customers. Businesses have also received calls, including the Press Enterprise Berwick office, which was called at least twice on two separate lines.
Caller ID has identified the calls as coming from various states, including New Jersey, Texas and Georgia.
People who answer hear a computerized voice claiming to be from the First National Bank of Berwick telling them a block has been placed on their debit cards. First Keystone National Bank was called First National Bank of Berwick four years ago.
Listeners are then told to press "1" or dial another phone number to be transferred to the security department.
A reporter who called the number spoke to a teller at a legitimate bank in Georgia, who told her the automated call was a scam.
Angell said the thieves seem to really want residents to press "1;" the other phone number they give is a junk number designed to give the call more credibility.
If listeners press "1," another automated voice tells them to enter their account number. The system can recognize some fake account numbers; when a reporter entered account "6666666666666666," the system told her it was incorrect.
Precautions
Angell reminded customers not to give out their account, debit card or PIN numbers. The bank will never ask for such information over the phone, Internet or by text message, she said.
If you get a call that is supposedly from your bank and you think it might be legitimate, tell the caller you will call them back at the bank, she said. Then look up the number in the phone book or dial the number on your last statement to reach the bank, she said. Do not use any number the caller gives you.
Meanwhile, the state attorney general is collecting information about the scam. People who have received fake calls or lost money can file a complaint at http://www.attorneygeneral.gov, Angell said.
You can call reporter Susan Schwartz at 752-3646 or e-mail her at [email protected].
