Durham police are warning the public about a growing scam involving fraudsters posing as bank employees and convincing victims to hand over their bank cards and PIN numbers.
The DRPS Fraud Unit has received 41 reports so far this year with losses of more than $200,000, police said.
In recent cases, victims have received phone calls from suspects who claim to be from their bank’s fraud department. The caller tells the victim that their bank cards have been compromised and instructs them to place their cards — along with their PIN numbers — in an envelope for a ‘bank representative’ to pick up. Victims are told that new cards will be sent out the next day, said the police.
Shortly after, a driver arrives at the victim’s home, collects the envelope and then uses the stolen cards and PINs to withdraw money from the victim’s accounts, it said.
Police are reminding residents that banks will never ask for a customer’s debit or credit card, and they will never ask for PIN numbers. By providing both, victims unknowingly violate their contract with the bank, leaving them financially responsible for any losses.
How to protect yourself:
- Never give your bank card or PIN number to anyone.
- Hang up immediately if someone claiming to be from your bank asks for this information.
- If in doubt, call your bank directly using the number on the back of your card — not a number provided by the caller.