Thieves Target Chase Bank Customers

Passaic, NJ- Many of us rely heavily on modern technology, to operate within our daily lives. A new scam targeting users of Chase Bank “Text Alerts”, has some Chase customers worried.

Chase Bank offers their customers the option of receiving banking alerts to their cellular phones via text messages. Alerts contain information such as bank withdrawals, bank deposits, and the such.

The Scam: Customers have been receiving text messages stating that due to security implications, their account has temporarily been suspended. In the text message it has the number for Chase, so you can call and reactivate your account. The number which is listed, does not belong to Chase Bank.

When you call the number, a “customer representative” asks you for several forms of identification, to prove its you are the account holder. Once this information has been given, identity theft scamers now have access to your bank account, as well as several other options.

If you think you’ve become a victim of identity theft or fraud, act immediately to minimize the damage to your personal funds and financial accounts, as well as your reputation. Here’s a list  of some actions that you should take right away:

1. Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to report the situation ( http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/ )
2. By telephone toll-free at 1-877-ID THEFT (877-438-4338) or TDD at 202-326-2502, or
3. By mail to Consumer Response Center, FTC, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20580.

You may also need to contact other agencies for other types of identity theft:

1. Your local office of the Postal Inspection Service if you suspect that an identity thief has submitted a change-of-address form with the Post Office to redirect your mail, or has used the mail to commit frauds involving your identity;( https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/ )
2. The Social Security Administration if you suspect that your Social Security number is being fraudulently used (call 800-269-0271 to report the fraud); ( http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10064.html )
3. The Internal Revenue Service if you suspect the improper use of identification information in connection with tax violations (call 1-800-829-0433 to report the violations).( http://www.irs.gov/privacy/article/0,,id=186436,00.html )

(News Source: PCJN Exclusive)