Beware: Holiday Scam Hitting Mother Lode
Sonora, CA – If you answer the phone and the person on the other end of the line says they need your personal information to fix a banking or credit card problem, be skeptical.
“We have had several calls from people over the past several days saying they got a call from their bank or a credit card company saying that their card has been deactivated and they need the card number to reactivate it,” says Sgt. Scott Johnson Spokesperson for the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office.
It is not a new scam, but it is one thieves kick into high gear during the holidays. Johnson says that is because people use their cards more during the holiday and they do not realize they have been scammed until the bill comes in a month later.
So what should you do if you get this call? “Hang up!” advises Sonora Police Chief Mark Stinson. He adds, “Call or go down to your bank directly and advise them of the call. 99% of the time you’ll find out it was not your bank. Whatever you do don’t ever give your bank account or ATM pin number over the phone.”
Also, make sure to report the phone call to local police so they can alert the public. Johnson says nabbing the thieves is very difficult since most of the calls come from overseas.
