Account Activation Text Scam
Be Aware of Text Scams
Fraudulent text messages are being sent to individuals in an effort to steal personally identifiable information. Mass text broadcasts are commonly used by fraudsters to reach large audiences of potential victims. This scam is quite common and often operates simultaneously in multiple states.
Scam Details
- Automated texts are being broadcast that warn members to call certain numbers to reactivate their payment cards.
- A recent text example: "Federal Credit Union ALERT: Your CheckCard has been temporarily LOCKED. Please call Card Services line (407) 574-2992".
- Text messages do not reference a particular issuing brand but they may vaguely refer to a credit union or bank.
- Additional originating text numbers for this recent scam include: 786-300-2335 and 971-208-9936. All numbers referenced in this Alert Bulletin have been disbanded. New originating numbers will most likely be created and used in the future.
- Text messages may also originate from Jamaican area code 876 which is easily confused by consumers with a toll free number.
Never call a potentially fraudulent number. Law enforcement and local communication companies may be in the middle of an investigation that will be compromised if the fraudsters become suspicious.
Be aware that a series of numbers are often involved in telephony scams. This scam may not be entirely limited to the number(s) referenced above.