Be Aware of a Current Text Message Fraud Trend
We are committed to helping keep your finances safe. We want to inform you about a recent fraud scenario that has impacted debit card holders at several financial institutions, including Main Street Bank.
Your safety and security are our top priorities, and we want to ensure that you are well-informed about this situation.
Here’s what’s been happening:
- Suspicious Text Messages: Some customers have reported receiving text messages that appear to be from Main Street Bank. These messages ask if a recent debit card transaction was authorized and prompt you to respond with either “yes” or “no.”
- Follow-up Phone Calls: If you respond with “no” to the text message, you may receive a follow-up phone call from an individual claiming to be a customer service representative from Main Street Bank. They will ask you to share sensitive information, including the last 8 digits of your debit card number, the CVV security code, and the expiration date.
- Unauthorized Transactions: Once this private information is shared, fraudsters can use your debit card to make unauthorized purchases, putting your financial security at risk.
An example of a fraudulent text message posing as Main Street Bank looks like this:
If you respond, you will receive a phone call claiming to be from Main Street Bank’s customer service, asking you to verify private information, such as your debit card number, CVV code, expiration date, and even online banking login credentials.
Your safety is our priority!
Please remember: Main Street Bank, or any legitimate financial institution, will NEVER initiate a text or phone call that asks for you to share sensitive information. If you ever doubt the authenticity of a call, you can always hang up and call Main Street Bank’s official company phone number to confirm the validity of the call. We encourage you to take this step if you ever receive a call that seems suspicious.
We want to emphasize that Main Street Bank has a robust automated fraud detection service in place. When our system detects a suspicious transaction on your debit card, you may receive a text message asking you to verify the transaction by responding with a “yes” or “no.”
If you respond “NO” to the legitimate text message, you will be directed to call a phone number with a specific case number associated with the transaction. It is crucial to understand that at no point will anyone representing Main Street Bank request your private information, such as your debit card number, CVV security code, expiration date, or any login information.
An example of a true text message sent on behalf of Main Street Bank looks like this:
How to Spot the Difference
Text messages from Main Street Bank’s official text alert service will appear to come from a 5-digit short code ‘37268’, and not from a full 10-digit phone number. When in doubt, you can always contact Main Street Bank at our official phone number – 508-481-8300 – to confirm any text communication.
Your vigilance is essential in protecting your financial information. If you have any concerns or questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us through our official channels.
Thank you for choosing Main Street Bank. We’re committed to providing you with the highest level of security and service.