Martinsville Bulletin, Inc.
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204 Broad Street
Martinsville, Virginia 24115
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Police warn of card scam
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
By BULLETIN STAFF REPORTS -
The Henry County Sheriff’s Office and the Martinsville Dupont Credit Union (MDCU) are alerting residents about a recent scam involving debit cards.
According to bank officials, credit union members and nonmembers are receiving automated telephone messages claiming to be from MDCU and advising the recipient that his or her debit card has been blocked. To unblock the card, the listener is prompted to enter “1” and then is asked to enter his or her 16-digit card number, according to a news release.
The Henry County Sheriff’s Office advised residents Tuesday not to give out card information by punching in the number if they receive similar calls. According to the release, MDCU never contacts its members by phone, e-mail or text message to ask for personal information such as a Social Security number, account number, debit card number or credit card number.
If an MDCU member already provided his or her MDCU debit card number to the caller, contact MDCU’s Member Service Department at 632-1679, (540) 483-0018 or (800) 475-6328, extension 0, so that steps can be taken to protect the account, the release stated.
According to Lt. Ricky Walker of the sheriff’s office, MDCU received more than 100 calls from members who received the phone call, but no one has been victimized by the scam. A few people did give their information, but they immediately called MDCU and bank officials were able to prevent any loss to the members, Walker said.
Deputies were made aware of the scam by the credit union’s management, and both parties are working to warn the community not to give out card information.
Residents with questions should call the sheriff’s office at 638-8751.
The Crime Stoppers Program offers rewards of up to $1,000 for information related to crime. The nature of the crime and the substance of the information provided determine the amount of reward paid. Call Crime Stoppers at 63-CRIME (632-7463).
