BRATTLEBORO-Brattleboro Savings & Loan (BS&L) says a recent fraudulent text scam has targeted its customers as well as those of other local banks in the area.
According to a BS&L news release, this fraud effort has focused on sending texts to potential bank customers. The text asks if a substantial charge on the account is valid, at which time they will ask customers to click on a link. Some links might take customers to a fake website that looks real. Upon the client's login, the scammers might then steal the username and password. Other messages might install harmful malware on the respondent's phone, which steals their financial or personal information.
"BS&L customers will never be asked to click on a text link," bank officials said. "BS&L's Fraud Center will only ask for a response to validate a purchase or confirm fraud. The Fraud Center team will only ever ask you to reply 'V' for valid or 'F' for fraud when questioning a recent charge."
To help stay safe, customers are advised to take a closer look at the text. If it's not a recognizable number, "look for irregularities in the dollar amount, the name of the bank, and any grammar mistakes in the text," bank officials advised. If a suspicious text message appears, do not click on any links or respond to the text, and do not call the number back. "If you have any uncertainty, call your bank directly," they said.
"We want to protect everyone in our community, no matter where they bank" said BS&L Senior Vice President Theresa Masiello. "Should you receive any texts or emails that you're unsure about, never hesitate to contact your bank directly."
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.