Sophisticated debit card scam targets unsuspecting victims

OMAHA, Texas — A new and sophisticated debit card scam is making the rounds, targeting unsuspecting individuals by mimicking bank fraud departments. The Omaha Police Department warns residents to be cautious of phone calls where the caller ID appears to be from their bank, as scammers are using this tactic to gain personal information.

The scam involves a caller claiming to be from a bank’s fraud department, referencing the last four digits of the victim’s debit card and inquiring about suspicious out-of-state charges at stores like Lowe’s and Walmart. The caller then sends a verification code to the victim’s phone and requests the victim’s PIN number to deactivate the old card. However, when the victim hesitates, the caller insists that the phone number matches the one on the back of the card.

Victims are urged to report such incidents to their bank’s fraud department immediately. “We would never ask for your PIN number,” the bank’s fraud department stated, emphasizing that they already have access to account information and do not require a PIN. The department also noted that this scam is new but has been reported frequently.