It’s a trap.
“This is an automated message from (a bank). Your ATM card has been deactivated. To reactivate call urgent at: 778-282-8446”
Anyone receiving this text message is encouraged to ignore it due to the fact that police believe to be part of a phishing scam going on throughout DeKalb County where the scam artist is attempting to gain personal account information.
The DeKalb Police Department was called by three local banks Thursday afternoon about account holders receiving this text message, telling clients to call a number to reactivate their ATM card, said DeKalb Police Det. Angel Reyes. When the victim calls the number, an automatic recording asks for personal account information. As of 3 p.m. Thursday, no one has given any personal information to the recording, Reyes said, who did not know how many people have received the text.
Anyone receiving this message should not call the number and is encouraged to call their bank and report they got the message, Reyes said. If anyone has given out information to the number, they should contact the DeKalb Police Department and their bank.
“The important thing is if they didn’t fall for the scam, [to] call the bank and make them aware of it,” Reyes said. “They could very well not even have an account with this bank, but if you send out so many text messages, you will eventually find someone with an account at that bank who will fall for the scam.”

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