Public Warned of Scam Seeking Debit Card Info

Police are warning the public about a scam involving debit cards.

Big Island residents have reported receiving a text message from someone claiming that the recipient’s debit card has been temporarily deactivated, and asking them to call a telephone number to have it reactivated.

When they call that number they are asked for the card number, expiration date, security code and personal identification number or PIN.

Police said this is an attempt to fraudulently obtain personal financial information for illicit purposes.

Police advise anyone who receives such a message to delete it and not call the phone number, as legitimate financial institutions do not ask for that kind of personal information over the phone or internet.

“If you think a notification from your financial institution might be legitimate, call the published phone number in the phone book, not any phone number received on the phone or over the internet,” a police spokesman said.